Building Innovations, February 2024

b BUILDING INNOVATIONS

A MAGAZINE FOR ARCHITECTS FEB 2024

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BUILDING INNOVATIONS CONTENTS: VISION - PAGE 4 NEWS - PAGE 14 INTERIOR DESIGN - PAGE 22 DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING - PAGE 36 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - PAGE 48 VIEWPOINT - PAGE 52 PROJECT INSIGHT - PAGE 56

about

Some of the colour photography used in Building Innovations is provided and paid for by contributors. The publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. This edition is dedicated to our much-loved friend and colleague, Mike Mahon. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the consent of the publisher. Published by L2 Architectural Media Ltd, Parkfield House, Park Street, Stafford ST17 4AL Tel: 01785 291442 www.L2architectural.media

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VISION

Black & Milk Unveil Long-Awaited Design For Battersea Power Station Apartment Award-winning interior design studio, Black & Milk’s reworking of Pico House, is breathing new life into one of London’s most desirable addresses. Created in collaboration with renowned architect Frank Gehry, the studio references its signature cosy luxury style throughout the refurbishment of the home in London's newly redeveloped Battersea Power Station.

Demonstrating a characteristic attention to detail across the totality of the site, Black & Milk wanted to create a space that reaped the rewards of living in prime Central London whilst reinterpreting the city's luxuries into the apartment stylistically.

Pico House is located next to Battersea Power Station’s Zone 1 London Underground Station, and overlooks a rich mix of restaurants, bars, offices and shops on Electric Boulevard, a pedestrianised high street, putting residents in the heart of the ‘15-minute’ live, work, play neighbourhood.

The three-bedroom residence spread over 1,052 sqft is full of character with fresh, contemporary interiors grounded in high-quality finishes and natural light.

Designed for a modern resident, the design is built around flexibility and adaptability and is complete with playful and expressive touches. Whilst modern buildings have a lot to offer for contemporary design, there are of course, a myriad of challenges to be faced.

Olga Alekseev, Creative Director at Black & Milk comments, “The spatial configuration of the apartment was one of the fun challenges faced by

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our team. Due to the room's interesting layouts and particular angles, an intelligent spatial layout was implemented redefining the living and dining area. We also had to have the apartment follow the sinuous shape of the building’s exterior, creating unique properties with elegant curving walls.

Horizontal bands break down the scale and add definition to the building, whilst floor-to-ceiling glazing, orientated to offer the best views of the Power Station, create interiors that are flooded with natural light.”

She continues, “Throughout the space, wanted to clearly distinguish the retained and restored elements of the original building from contemporary additions. In our approach we therefore emphasised proposition, and enhancement of light, meaning no room is alike, with different design hues enticing the senses.”

The studio takes inspiration from Ghery’s bright, linear architecture with a neutral colour scheme, providing a series of refreshing spaces. Notable design points within the apartment include a wellappointed open-plan living area with a bespoke bar that encompasses a rotating door with backlit shelving, creating a place equipped for the regular entertainment of guests. With entertaining at home becoming a weekly staple in winter, this exquisite home-bar has everything necessary for an after-work tipple within arms reach. www.blackandmilk.co.uk

VISION

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VISION

Stora Enso Celebrates The Opening Of Wooden Architectural Landmark Building Wisdome Stockholm

Wisdome Stockholm is a new scientific experiential arena situated in the courtyard of Sweden’s National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm. The Wisdome Stockholm building encompasses a wooden architectural design creating an arched-shaped room of 1,325 square meters. Stora Enso has been the main partner and delivered sustainable wooden construction materials for the project.

“Wisdome Stockholm is truly a landmark building that stretches the boundaries of wooden architecture. Wood as a building material is an important part of the solution to battle climate change, enabling storage of CO2 and a sustainable construction process.

Today’s inauguration showcases the unique design and sustainability benefits of building with renewable materials,” says Lars Völkel, Executive Vice President, Stora Enso’s Wood Products division.

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VISION

The wood used for both the LVL (laminated veneer lumber) and CLT (crosslaminated timber) building elements for Wisdome Stockholm came from sustainably managed, certified forests in Sweden and Finland and stores in total 1,178 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The construction incorporates both curved and twisted beams, found in only a few locations worldwide. Situated at the heart of the exhibition hall is a substantial wooden dome equipped with state-of-the-art visualisation technology. “ Being a part of this project from the early stages, we were able to find an innovative way to use standard industrial products, such as CLT and LVL elements from our Sylva by Stora Enso range, to achieve the asymmetrical structure of the building without sacrificing the fantastic design,” says Jessika Szyber, Business Development Manager at Stora Enso. www.storaenso.com

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VISION

Strawberry Hill Forever!

OB Architecture have unveiled their latest project Strawberry Hill, a comprehensive refurbishment of an entire residence in the serene Hampshire countryside.

This ambitious project was undertaken in response to the client's aspiration for a complete rejuvenation of the property.

OB Architecture is renowned for its ability to harmoniously blend creativity with contemporary innovation, crafting residences that meet the demands of 21st-century living.

The focal point of this transformation is a striking circular GluLam timber structure designed in collaboration with Buckland Timber, replacing a dated 80s steelframed conservatory. The original structure lacked modern comforts and thermal efficiency, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul.

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VISION

On the lower ground floor, the spa and pool area underwent a modernisation process, with the addition of expansive plate windows that afford captivating views both in and out of the pool. A cinema and games room were also nestled deep into the plan of the lower ground floor. Throughout the project, a strong emphasis was placed on ecoconscious design elements.

The alterations were meticulously calibrated to harmonise with the existing house's proportions, seamlessly integrating with the traditional rural architecture while introducing subtle contemporary details, as per the client's wish for a modern and playful living space.

The interior decoration was entrusted to Wilson Martin Interiors, who collaborated closely with OB Architecture and the client to devise a scheme in perfect harmony with the building's character and architectural vision. The Strawberry Hill project stands as a testament to OB Architecture's prowess in seamlessly merging modern design with the charm of rural surroundings. www.obarchitecture.co.uk

The end result is a captivating contemporary space boasting 270-degree views of the garden, tennis court, and the idyllic Hampshire countryside.

The circular form elegantly mirrors the terrace at the opposite end of the property, creating visual symmetry and cohesion. In response to the client's brief, OB also redesigned the entrance, through to the open-plan modernised kitchen, living, and dining area, and further into the new garden room.

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VISION

Flexible Accommodation Pioneers Mason & Fifth To Launch Second Building In Primrose Hill

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Originally four 1860s Regency mansion houses, Mason & Fifth Primrose Hill is a 62-studio site from the brand spearheading flexible living concepts, Mason & Fifth. The Primrose Hill site follows the success of the brand’s existing location in Bermondsey.

Redesigned and refurbished by awardwinning architects Red Deer, the Grade II Listed building boasts 62 furnished, private studios - each with a kitchen and en suite, a shared living, working & dining area, a private garden and a yoga pavilion.

VISION

Studios are available for short-term stays. Longer-term resident contracts include all bills in one convenient monthly fee, with just one month's notice to leave, creating a unique space that is as flexible as needed. Mason & Fifth is one of the pioneering brands behind the expanding Flexible Living marketplace. The brand's previous venture in Bermondsey had an immediate explosion in popularity with 100% occupancy since opening. (cont...)

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VISION

(cont...) Mason & Fifth was established by David Silver, who co-founded investment advisory firm Burlington Partners and was a Director at City-fringe commercial agency Richard Susskind, along with Ben Prevezer, who founded experiential marketing, content and placemaking agency Offbeat Network, working with some of the world’s largest FMCG brands and partnering with some of the UKs leading developers to operate and activate their projects.

Mason & Fifth co-founder Ben Prevezer said: “Primrose Hill is our next exciting venture breaking down barriers in the London marketplace. We live, stay, work, and connect in different ways than we did before. Remote and hybrid working have been huge players in this shift, and our living spaces need to catch up with this new and progressive approach. Across the board, it’s becoming harder and harder to find a space that can fit the needs of the modern Londoner.”

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VISION

Mason & Fifth is a concept designed to facilitate a sense of living freely without compromising on community. Ben Prevezer notes that at Mason & Fifth, residents benefit from a “beautifully designed space in a great location and the convenience of everything being taken care of so you can move in and out with ease, have a comfortable space to work plus peaceful private spaces and a friendly community to plug into and share experiences with.”

“We’ve put flexibility at the forefront of our entire model.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re staying for a weekend or much longer, you deserve to have somewhere that is as flexible as you are.” Tours are now available to book at Mason & Fifth Primrose Hill via the Mason & Fifth website. https://mason-fifth.com

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NEWS

BLANCO LAUNCHES CHOICE.ALL DRINK SYSTEM WITH SPARKLING WATER BLANCO has announced the launch of CHOICE.ALL, the first drink system of its kind to be available in the UK. When fitted as part of the BLANCO UNIT, the platform offers two types of sparkling water (filtered medium sparkling and fully sparkling water), as well as filtered still water (boiling water and chilled, with adjustable temperature levels) plus unfiltered hot and cold tap water.

The CHOICE.ALL offers better tasting water in a wide range of formats and temperatures, and is also an incredible space saver, removing the need for a kettle or bottled water. This latest innovation from BLANCO marks the first time the brand has offered a sparkling water option in the UK, and provides consumers with a complete drinking water solution. BLANCO’s new two-jet CHOICE ICONA semi-professional tap features an intuitive touch control, with a colour coded LED light ring to indicate boiling, still and sparkling preferences. www.blanco.com

THE AICO|HOMELINK COMMUNITY AWARDS TO RETURN FOR 2024 After the success of their first Community Awards in 2022, Aico|HomeLINK are bringing this spectacular event back for its second year, returning on Thursday 18 th of April 2024, at the International Convention Centre Birmingham. Hosted by Carl Jones, who presents Shropshire Business Live TV, and works across print, radio and TV, the awards ceremony will welcome over 400 guests and finalists for an evening of celebration, and recognition of excellence within the social housing industry and local community.

Aico is delighted to launch the Apprentice of the Year Award for 2024. The award has been established to honour the brightest talents within the electrical industry. The top six candidates for this award will be invited to the Aico|HomeLINK Community Awards Ceremony, where the winner will be announced. The Community Awards by Aico|HomeLINK are open for nominations to the public and organisations across the UK. Entries will be accepted until the 16th of February 2024. To enter an individual or organisation, please find the Community Awards entry forms here: https:// www.aico.co.uk/news-and-events/aicohomelink-community-awards-2024/

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ILLBRUCK’S FR WINDOW SEALING MEMBRANE (ME010) IS AWARDED BBA CERTIFICATE Tremco CPG UK Limited, is delighted to announce that illbruck’s FR Window Sealing Membrane (ME010) has been awarded a new prestigious BBA certificate for its technical performance and durability in service and compliance with building safety and national Building Regulations. Illbruck’s FR Window Sealing Membrane is a fully third-party accredited system, when used as a fully air and watertight perimeter seal for use around windows, doors, and curtain walling. When used as a system in conjunction with SP025 FR Membrane Adhesive the tested system achieves a Class B-s1, d0 in accordance with EN 13501-1. www.tremcocpg.com

SMART LAUNCHES ALITHERM HERITAGE 60 DOOR SYSTEM, FULLY COMPLIANT WITH DOCUMENT L Smart Architectural Aluminium has announced the launch of its new Alitherm 60 door system, the latest addition to the company’s proven Alitherm Heritage portfolio. Fully compliant with Document L of the Building Regulations, this new range of high-quality, high performance single and double doors provides an elegant solution for both new build and refurbishment projects.

With a range including single and double doors, as well open-in and open-out options, Alitherm 60 provides a ready replacement for steel doors on heritage applications, such as building renovations or apartment conversions, or for sensitive conservation areas, where planning regulations require a like-for-like product replacement. www.smartsystems.co.uk

NEWS

FORM AN INSTANT BOND WITH NEW MAPECONTACT PLUS Mapei has introduced Mapecontact Plus – a new solvent-free, double-sided reinforced adhesive strip for fast-track installation of accessories, resilient and textile flooring. New Mapecontact Plus provides an instant bond and a secure, tough hold, eliminating waiting time. It is ideal for installing textile and resilient flooring onto steps and curved surfaces, and accessories including coving, skirting boards, rubber and PVC profiles.

It can also be used to install angular pieces and protective profiles onto steps and other sharp edges.

As well as providing a fast, sustainable and clean installation, Mapecontact Plus has improved resistance to moisture, plasticisers and ageing, for greater longevity. www.mapei.co.uk

OMNIE ADDS AL HEX HEAT DIFFUSER TECHNOLOGY TO UFH SYSTEMS OMNIE, the award-winning UK underfloor heating specialist, is incorporating the advanced AL HEX aluminium diffuser technology on all its foiled underfloor heating systems. The patented AL HEX foil, with its trademark hexagonal patten, increases the inchannel foiled surface area that is in contact with the warm water pipe. The result is greater heat output, faster heat transfer and a more even heat distribution across a floor area, plus it avoids the risk of damage due to heat ‘striping’.

Striping is caused when heat in the warm water pipe doesn’t diffuse into the floor panel effectively and, instead, creates hot spots and hot lines on the floor surface finish. Prolonged exposure to striping can damage both the floor finish and the subfloor, particularly if the installer raises the temperature of the water to try and improve the diffusion. www.omnie.co.uk

RECTICEL'S EUROTHANE® GP AMONG FIRST BUILDING PRODUCTS TO BE CCPI VERIFIED Recticel Insulation is delighted to announce that its Eurothane® GP PIR board has become one of the first UK construction products to receive Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) accreditation. The verification helps product users to be assured data associated with Eurothane® GP is accurate, up-to-date, clear, accessible and unambiguous. This information is crucial in assisting customers to make more informed decisions in respect of product specification. It will also help improve building standards due to products being used safely and appropriately.

Initiated by the Construction Products Association's Marketing Integrity Group following industry-wide consultation, CCPI aligns with Dame Judith Hackitt's call for a 'golden thread' of information as part of her postGrenfell report into the fire safety of buildings. Dame Judith addressed manufacturers including Recticel at a CCPI Assessment and Verification event held in London to highlight the first products to achieve Code accreditation.

Suitable for multiple applications including floors, pitched roofs and timber framed walls, Eurothane® GP demonstrates a good thermal performance (0.022 W/mK). www.recticelinsulation.com/en-gb/eurothane-gp

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NEWS

DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER 4% OF UK TOILETS ARE LEAKING? That is enough water to fill 158 Olympic sized swimming pools EVERY DAY or to put it another way, enough water is leaking from toilets in the UK to fill over 4 MILLION baths EVERY SINGLE DAY. That is a huge amount of wasted water. According to the recent Leaky Loo report around 4.1% of all toilets in the UK are leaking, that equates to around 1.5 million toilets! As responsible organisations’ it is our responsibility to help to stop this flow of wasted water.

How can we reduce the number of leaky loos? The majority of leaky loo’s leak from either the inlet or outlet valve so fitting water saving products to your toilets like our delay fill Dudley Hydroflo inlet valve or our market leading Dudley Turbo Edge toilet syphon will help to reduce the number of leaking toilets you have. By doing this you will not only save water but will potentially save a bucket full of money! Fitting water saving products into your toilets is an assured way to reduce the number of leaky loos you have; it will also help to protect the environment and save you money with less wasted water and reduced call out costs for engineers.

To find out more about our water saving products please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thomas Dudley is a UK manufacturer of high-quality plumbing products and an expert in providing water saving advice. Dudley Blue is the new green. www.thomasdudley.co.uk/tyde

SERC FIRE ENGINEERING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2023 Christopher Orr, an apprentice from Northern Irelands, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has beaten off competition to lift the Nittan Shield Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year title for 2023. Christopher (27), from Lisburn, employed by Crane Communications, successfully achieved the EAL Level 3 Fire & Security Apprenticeship NI at SERC’s Lisburn Campus. SERC Fire and Security Lecturers, Christopher Patterson and Robin Hamill, said: “This Award reflects performance throughout his 4-years, both at work and in the College through coursework and assignments. Christopher has proved himself to be an outstanding apprentice and his efforts and achievements are recognised with this Award.”

Bobby Nixon, Sales Manager, Nittan Europe Ltd, presented the award and said, “Nittan are proud to be associated with the SERC Apprentice of the Year, and I am very happy to present Christopher with the Nittan Shield Award for 2023. “As a manufacturer, we understand there is a direct relationship between engineer training and customer satisfaction. We fully support the work undertaken at SERC, and our Elite Partner for Northern Ireland, Solutions for Systems, who take the time to train and nurture these apprentices. Nittan works closely with both organisations, to ensure the College has the industry leading products it needs to train the apprentices and sponsor the Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award.”

SERC has been instrumental in supporting the introduction of the Northern Ireland Fire and Security Employers Federation, the development of new courses and up-skilling training for the industry. Employers and manufacturers have contributed to state-of-the-art products to support teaching and Continuing Professional Development at the College. www.nittan.co.uk.

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NEWS

BBA Certification for Mapei Purtop 1000N Mapei PURTOP 1000N liquid roof waterproofing system has been awarded BBA Certification. A two-component solventfree, fast curing pure polyurea membrane, Purtop 1000N forms a waterproof coating for roofs and podium decks, as well as waterproofing and protecting storage tanks. During the BBA assessment process, Purtop 1000 N was accessed as a waterproofing layer on pitched and flat roofs, with pedestrian and limited access, including green roofs and roof gardens, fulfilling all requirements.

Key factors tested included safety in the event of fire, hygiene, health and the environment – including watertightness, resistance to mechanical damage, root penetration and slip resistance - and durability. It was also accessed for design, installation, workmanship maintenance and repair, as well manufacture, delivery and site handling.

The BBA Certificate 23/7057 confirms that Purtop 1000 N achieves a classification of BROOF(t4) under BS EN 13501-5 : 2005 and has a service life of at least 25 years. Purtop 1000N

also has WRAS approval, making it suitable for use in contact with potable water. A two-component, solvent-free and ‘no VOC’ membrane, Purtop 1000 N creates a strong, flexible membrane on new and existing surfaces including concrete and metal. It is applied by spray with a high-pressure, bi-mixer type pump and is immediately waterproofing and set to light foot traffic. T he coating has exceptional tensile and tear strength, high crackbridging capacity – both static and dynamic – and enlongation capacity. It also provides excellent resistance to alkalis and diluted acids. No reinforcement is required, it does not form overloads on load-bearing structures and, after reticulation, the coating is completely inert. I n addition to BBA Certification, Purtop1000 N is compliant with ETAG 005 (“Liquid applied roof waterproofing kit”) and suitable for contact with drinking water in accordance with Italian Ministerial Decree DM 174/04. www.mapei.co.uk

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NEWS

Mapei Purtop Easy Awarded BBA Certification Mapei has received BBA Certification for its liquid waterproofing system - Purtop Easy. A single-component, cold liquidapplied polyurethane roof waterproofing membrane, Purtop Easy is used to protect roofs, balconies and terraces, making substrates completely waterproof even at low temperatures. The BBA Certificate 23/7057 confirms that Purtop Easy achieves a classification of BROOF(t4) under BS EN 13501-5 : 2005 and it has a service life of at least 25 years.

During the BBA assessment process, the system was accessed as a waterproofing layer on pitched and flat roofs, with pedestrian and limited access, including green roofs and roof gardens, fulfilling all requirements. Key factors tested included safety in case of fire, hygiene, health and the environment – including watertightness, resistance to mechanical damage, root penetration and slip resistance - and durability. It was also accessed for design, installation, workmanship maintenance and repair, as well manufacture, delivery and site handling.

Highly elastic and durable, Purtop Easy is quick and easy to apply onto horizontal and vertical surfaces, with a brush, roller or trowel. The versatile membrane is resistant to standing water, root penetration, foot traffic, low and high temperatures (-40°c to +80°c) and UV rays. As well as BBA certification, Purtop Easy is CE marked and an ETAG 005 certified system. www.mapei.co.uk

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NEWS

BOXING CLEVER WITH WEST FRASER DONATION West Fraser Europe has donated £600 to support a local boxing gym which provides training and workouts for members of all ages. The Doghouse Boxing Club, located in Stirling near the company's manufacturing plant in Cowie, Scotland, was established in 2023 and focuses on providing a healthy exercise outlet for the community through boxing classes and training sessions for both youngsters starting out through to experienced professionals.

The donation will enable the group to continue offering even more expert-led sessions to promote healthy and active lifestyles within the community, as well as act as a social hub in the community.

David Connacher, marketing manager at West Fraser Europe, said: "As a major employer to the local area, West Fraser recognises the importance of supporting the local community and the businesses making a huge positive difference within them. We were more than happy to support the team at Doghouse Boxing Club with these funds and are excited to see it continue its recent trend of knockout success in providing fantastic classes and facilities for everyone across Stirling to enjoy." https://uk.westfraser.com

NEW STRATTON MK3 SYSTEM SELECTOR FROM HAMWORTHY HEATING SIMPLIFIES PRODUCT SELECTION Following on from the launch of its latest Stratton mk3 wall-hung condensing boiler range, Hamworthy Heating is pleased to announce the introduction of its new Stratton mk3 System Selector tool, designed to help simplify the product selection process for cascade arrangements. For installations that require more output delivered flexibly, a Stratton mk3 cascade system can be installed with up to 6 boilers at a time to meet building demands effectively. Wall hung cascades have grown in popularity within the past decade due to the additional turndown ratio and redundancy that this kind of installation offers.

Available with a range of plate heat exchangers and low-loss headers (including bespoke frame and header kits), the new Stratton mk3 System Selector identifies all the Hamworthy products needed for an efficient heating system. By answering a few simple questions from a drop-down menu, such as the number of Stratton mk3 boilers to be cascaded, the highest single boiler output and gas type, the new Stratton mk3 System Selector will list all items required on screen.

It can also be downloaded as a PDF or emailed directly for added convenience. Offering exceptional system tolerance, the Stratton mk3 is backed by a five-year heat exchanger warranty. www.hamworthy-heating.com

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NEWS

TREMCO CPG UK’S FLOWCRETE BRAND LAUNCHES LOW EMISSIONS RESINS RANGE Tremco CPG UK’s Flowcrete brand are pleased to announce the launch of their low emissions resins range in the UK. This family of high-performance and aesthetically pleasing solventfree epoxy flooring systems, coupled with low VOC emissions, and enhanced properties, promote a more sustainable approach to construction. The range, fully EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certified, complies with the requirements for building certifications such as LEED, DGNB and BREEAM. The coatings are certified and audited by Eurofins Consumer Product Testing and they carry the label “Indoor Air Comfort Gold”.

Considering that a significant portion of our daily lives is spent indoors, prioritising indoor air quality becomes paramount. Opting for low emission products not only contributes to improved health but also demonstrates our commitment to environmental well-being. Still delivering the performance you’ve come to expect, Flowcrete’s resin range actively enhances a site’s aesthetics, safety and cleanliness levels and now indoor air quality.

Will Facer, business development manager flooring, at Tremco CPG UK says “We are excited to launch our low emissions resins range in the UK. Our resin technology which has been tried and tested over time continues to advance to meet the challenges of modern construction. By offering low emission products, we are making a conscious effort to provide a healthier working environment for our applicators and building users while contributing towards Green Building Design.” www.flowcrete.eu/en-gb

NEW MARMOX FIREBOARD OFFERS IDEAL EWI AND IWI SUBSTRATE Building on the broad benefits of its widely specified Multiboard, insulation manufacturer Marmox has introduced the highly versatile Fireboard into its range for both internal and external wall insulation (IWI/EWI) applications.

The Marmox Stone Wool based product shares the unique Marmox honeycomb surface structure with its XPS forerunner, Multiboard, to create an A1 non-combustible certified render-backer which is fully waterproof.

It can further be used internally across walls or ceilings to take a plaster finish, while providing sound decoupling and acoustic absorption properties, as well as thermal insulation. The 600 x 1200mm Fireboards are available in thicknesses from 20mm up to 200 mm and with the polymer modified mortar honeycomb coating on one or both faces. With a nominal density of 150 kg/m 3 the boards’ core material offers a compressive strength of 90 kN/m2 , making it three times stronger than standard mineral wool. www.marmox.co.uk

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NEWS

FINDING THE RIGHT FIRE STOPPING FIT FOR YOUR NEEDS WITH NULLIFIRE’S NEW SOLUTIONS SELECTOR! Nullifire, a leading name in fire stopping technology, is proud to introduce the highly-anticipated Nullifire Solution Selector - Nullifinder.

This digital tool promises to set new standards in the fire safety industry by providing a comprehensive, user-centric approach to accessing and utilising fire stopping solutions. Nullifinder is a gateway to a world of trusted and tested fire stopping solutions.

With a mission to enhance accessibility to technical drawings and product data, improve the overall customer experience, and increase awareness of product testing, Nullifire’s Solution Selector is poised to transform the way professionals and partners in the construction industry operate. The heart of the selector lies in its simplicity. This tool features a "My Detail Packs" button, allowing users to easily access their preferred solutions and creating their own packs. It also provides the convenience of downloading technical drawings as a pack, simplifying the often complex process of gathering essential data for design and build projects. The Solution Selector is seamlessly embedded on Nullifire's website, making it easily accessible for both desktop and mobile users.

Nullifire's Solution Selector marks a significant step forward in fire stopping solutions. As the competition in the marketplace intensifies, Nullifire is determined to lead the way by not only simplifying the navigation of complex testing data with over 50 years but by also setting new standards through active collaboration with partners and professionals. Together, we can make the Solution Hub the benchmark for excellence in fire stopping technology. For more information and to explore the Nullifire Solution Selector, visit www.nullifire.com

EXPLORE THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE FR MEMBRANE RANGE FROM ILLBRUCK; ME050 FR BREATHER MEMBRANE (ALU) Illbruck, a brand of Tremco CPG UK Ltd, is proud to announce the launch of the newest addition to their building façade protection range; ME055 FR Breather Membrane (White). It is a noncombustible and highly vapour permeable breather membrane that is A1 in accordance with EN 13501-1 and water resistance to Class W2 in accordance with EN 13859-2. Designed to be used as a full façade breather membrane on new build and refurbishment projects; it is highly breathable, water resistant, and easy to install.

It is important to note that Illbruck’s FR Breather Membrane (White) meets the fire performance for membranes installed on “relevant and higher risk” building types as defined in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations for England and Wales. This new product offers specifiers, architects, and main contractors confidence in product performance and suitability of product selection in a variety of applications. Suitable for use within high-rise buildings, timber frames, lightweight steel frame constructions, and off-site construction.

This product boosting an A1 fire classification will perform if ever called upon. Illbruck has a range of breather membranes, suitable for all applications. An in-house specification team will be able to provide support for architects, specifiers, and designers in ensuring that the correct breather membrane is chosen for the project at hand. www.illbruck.com/en-gb/products-systems/product-overviews/ fire-rated-membranes

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Making Acoustics Work At The Office International Danish food company Danish Crown’s new headquarters has just been completed in Randers, Denmark.

The 13,000 square metre complex comprises offices, meeting rooms, fitness centre, show kitchen, canteen and break-out areas. Designed by CEBRA Architecture, the interior maximises natural daylight and focuses on a healthy indoor climate and healthy materials.

As part of the scheme for materials in natural tones and hard surfaces, Troldtekt acoustic panels were also specified for all the ceilings to ensure good acoustics and a comfortable sound environment for the many employees throughout the building. There are different variants of Troldtekt acoustic panels throughout the building. The award-winning ‘Troldtekt ® line’ from the design solutions range, in a natural finish, blends harmoniously with the brickwork in the many open areas, walkways and offices.

Mikkel Frost, architect and partner at CEBRA Architecture, commented "Troldtekt line was a perfect match for the broken bond brickwork, while at the same time creating a good acoustic environment. The

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natural colour also matches the brick, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for us". Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different structures and colours and combine superior sound absorption with an award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. The range is available in various sizes and structures and can be supplied as natural wood or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour.

Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Cradle to Cradle Certified ® at Gold level, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC ™ and FSC ® C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, WELL or LEED points.

Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from www.troldtekt.com

INTERIOR DESIGN

Zentia Introduces The Oplia Product Family: A Bright Horizon For Ceiling Tile Solutions Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, proudly announces the launch of ‘Oplia,’ the latest family addition to its product portfolio. Formerly recognised as Perla, the renaming reflects Zentia’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and functionality in ceiling tiles.

All tiles within the range have a smooth, laminated finish for a sleek aesthetic. Oplia hA dB, Oplia hA and Oplia hA+ offer excellent sound absorption, Oplia hA dB and Oplia dB offer impressive sound attenuation properties, and alongside Oplia Triangles the range provides the ideal solution for a wide spectrum of communal interiors.

Alongside white, 34 new exciting colours have been added to the range to experiment with design, create defined zones and assist with wayfinding.

Each tile has a high light reflectance of 86% and extremely low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content, offering overall enhanced health, wellbeing and productivity for the end user. The

Oplia dB tile delivers an enhanced sound attenuation performance of 41dB, reducing the sound between adjacent spaces. Alternatively, the Oplia hA dB is an ideal solution for flexible working spaces, with excellent levels of sound absorption and sound attenuation in one tile. Also, within the new product family, the Oplia hA tile provides a Class A sound absorption rating and performs best in open-plan areas such as libraries and cafeterias.

The Oplia hA+ tile has the highest possible a w coefficient of 1.00 and has been designed for areas that require enhanced focus and concentration, with the light reflectance improving interior light levels, diminishing artificial light reflectance and enhancing user wellbeing.

Lastly, the Oplia Triangle tile system offers additional design freedom, formed with interlocking isosceles triangles, which when combined with our choice of 34 additional standard colours, can add a very striking and impactful visual element to any project’s interior. www.zentia.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

2024 Design Trends For A Digital World Vicaima opens the door to fresh inspirations for construction in the AI era .....

It's a common exercise in any sector of activity - to foresee macro-trends, understand phenomena and draw up plans to respond to those same expectations of a future that is always more innovative, challenging and non-linear. The complementary worlds of architecture, construction and design are no exception and are the forerunners of boldness and disruption of norms, an attitude that brings them closer to the frontier between the beauty of evolution and the power of change.

As one of Europe's major players in the design and production of cutting-edge solutions for interior doors, technical doors, frames, wardrobes, panels and furniture pieces, Vicaima identifies some of the focal priorities that are already being followed by professionals in the field and whose relevance is expected to increase this year. One point will be

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common to all sectors - the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). Whether for interior design and decoration or in construction processes and software, disruptive technologies will have an influence on the efficiency within the different phases of a project, from the generation of 3D models, integrated project management or the selection of decorative elements, enhancing the creativity and uniqueness of spaces by combining the analytical capacity of digital tools with the aesthetic and functional sensitivity of the human insight.

How can we go even further and understand what lines will shape the future of these sectors? Let's go through, in detail, the features, concepts and movements that promise to make 2024 a transformative era.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Sustainability factors will continue to play an essential role - This year, sustainability will play a role in more than the choice of a decorative product, through elements that reflect the appreciation of local culture, proximity to communities and consideration for future generations. In the construction sector, the inclusion of products with FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certification, the organization that promotes responsible forest management, is almost a prerequisite, as specifiers seek to look beyond, sourcing and specifying products from organisations who take a more wholistic approach to their ESG (Environment, Social and Corporate Governance) obligations.

In addition, the rehabilitation of existing buildings will become even more important, adding to the value that restoring historical heritage can bring. In the interiors, thermal insulation will be

essence, which can stand out as a differentiator in any décor.

A true invitation to the smooth and profound assimilation of welcoming spaces, symptomatic of the contemporary dynamism that embraces historical tradition with vibrant brushstrokes for a perfect canvas of what tomorrow might look like. In 2024, spaces will be increasingly "ours", mirroring the personality of those who use them.

In buildings designed for housing, hotels, commercial services, healthcare or schools, the details that emanate a familiar and welcoming feeling will be highlighted. For projects looking to develop settings with a tailor-made concept, one of Vicaima's many solutions can be found in the Wardrobe Transform range - a highly personalized offer that appeals to the senses and imagination of customers looking for a touch of exclusivity.

New themed projects emerging, from hotels to homes - Rooms associated with an iconic character from a movie or an animated element from a TV series are a throwback to a nostalgic childhood, but they are freeing themselves up as inspiration for themed projects, a growing trend in which physical spaces are also a feeling. Not only in housing, but also in the hotel sector, designs evocative of literature, elements of nature or cities will be less and less uncommon.

Creativity will continue to blur boundaries, driving disruption in a new dimension of interior design that is very much present in the Vicaima Infinity line.

one of the key factors in reducing energy consumption, while guaranteeing comfort for users, maintaining the constant priority of natural lighting for users by providing a warm and appealing environment. At the same time, acoustic insulation will also be relevant, an important factor when silence is the most audible response to today's demand for tranquility and comfort. Among several growing sectors, 2024 foresees an increase in university residences, which are increasingly necessary in urban centers, where soundproofing is essential for the comfort of young people who use these places to study and work.

Doors as a fundamental element of personalization - The selection of styles, tones and surfaces has risen to an archetype that promises to become the next design revolution. Today, there is a growing demand for doors with customized designs and finishes adapted to specific needs and aesthetics, a factor leveraged by AI when it comes to analyzing data, lifestyles and preferences.

In this panorama, the authenticity of the choices promises to be revealed in the choice of door finishes, developing surfaces in which texture can be the differentiating factor.

In an era defined by A.I., the different trends indicate that emotion will not cease to exist, but will prove increasingly decisive, responding to the demand for authenticity and connection. As a whole, these are the building blocks for architecture, construction and decoration that will continue to create modern and attractive spaces with sustainability and uniqueness. Follow how Vicaima is adapting to the evolution of this universe, get inspired by all the new launches and find out about new ideas here or visit www.vicaima.com

Among Vicaima's wide range of options, this creative wave is already reflected in the Dekordor® 3D range of door finishes, which stand out for their modern look and pronounced texture.

In total, it offers an exquisite palette of fifteen on-trend designs, in light and dark tones. In fact, it's precisely the effect of tone and colour that reigns in highly customized projects, as Pantone's choice for 2024, Peach Fuzz, translates in all its

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Cosentino Announces Dekton® Ukiyo, A First of Its Kind Fluted Collection with Designer Claudia Afshar Cosentino, the global leading company in the production of sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, announces Dekton® Ukiyo, a new textured collection that features linear fluting and offers livable luxury with the durability of Dekton®.

Created in collaboration with the internationally recognised high-end interior and product designer, Claudia Afshar, the collection is available in ready-toinstall fluted tiles, one of the first offerings of its kind in the industry. Its textures bring distinctive depth and dimension to any space, be it residential or commercial.

Dekton® Ukiyo is inspired by Japanese and contemporary design and celebrates the art of minimalism and embracing the present.

Ukiyo means to "live in the moment” and the Dekton® collection is designed to awaken the senses and evoke a feeling of wellness by achieving a beautiful, calm state in the space. It embodies a rich palette of sensations, showcasing geometric yet smooth structure that creates harmonious designs both inside and outside.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

“Playing with texture is timeless, and it is so important in all materials, not just fabric” said Claudia Afshar. “I have always been inspired by the materials found in nature and making the spaces I design as comfortable, warm and authentic as possible. Ukiyo is calming yet simplistic, and the colorways and fluting are romantic, but also contemporary and masculine to achieve balance.”

Especially designed for vertical cladding application, Dekton® Ukiyo will be available in matte finish and two fluting options: GV2 with groves set 25 mm apart and measure 5mm wide and 3 mm deep; and GV3 with groves set 11 mm apart and are 4mm wide and deep. Both will come in tile size 17.7 inches by 118 inches (450 mm x 3000 mm).

To launch the Ukiyo offering, Afshar hand-selected five existing Dekton® colorways: Bromo, Kreta, Nacre, Umber, and Rem to provide a comprehensive color palette to work independently and together.

Dekton® products are full life cycle carbon neutral.

Dekton® Ukiyo is ideal for a virtually limitless range of vertical applications ranging from facades and fireplaces to custom furniture and so much more.

“Every day I strive to think outside the box in order to create something unique, yet special for each project. This collaboration offers just that and I am so thankful to the entire Cosentino team for bringing this collection to the market” said Afshar. www.cosentino.com/en-gb

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INTERIOR DESIGN

The Artistry Of Modern Wood Burning Stoves With Unconventional Designs DRU UK general manager Niall Deiraniya heralds their latest generation of designer stoves.

aspirational homeowners. Dik Geurts, our primary wood burning brand, has been an innovator since the 1980s, developing stoves and fires that can capture the attention of discerning customers in busy fireplace showrooms.

In 2008, Dik Geurts introduced the Aruba, a spectacular elliptical stove that featured prominently in the BBC drama series Hustle. This has now been superseded by the Oval, which is available in freestanding, fixed and suspended versions with greatly improved performance and efficiency.

Ever since wood burning stoves became an essential part of the home heating mix, designers and manufacturers have strived to produce models that will appeal to 28

Its sales this year have surpassed all expectations.

Odin, the circular equivalent of Oval, has proved equally popular, especially the Plateau model, which sits on a beautifully crafted log storage plinth for added visual appeal and practicality. Both Odin and Oval are available in single-sided or tunnel versions. .

INTERIOR DESIGN

This means you can locate them in a central position in the living space and enjoy them from anywhere in the room. Two and three-sided designer stoves are always in great demand, with panoramic fire views that bathe the home in a warm glow. These come in the shapes of the Dik Geurts Bora Corner and Vidar Triple. Both models offer multiple variations in size and configuration with ample log storage opportunities.

The past couple of years has seen a huge upsurge in sales of designer wood burning models, as consumers become more adventurous in their choice of home heating appliances. Contemporary wood stoves, with their ergonomic designs, high efficiency and low emissions, will remain a mainstay of home heating for many years to come. We expect even more exciting developments in these products in the future. For further information, email info@drufire.co.uk or visit: www.drufire.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Make More of Herringbone With IVC Commercial With a natural look and texture and a performance construction, Moduleo Roots 55 brings interiors closer to nature with a floor finish that’s durable and easy to look after. Now, with Moduleo Roots Herringbone, projects can benefit from the quality and affordability of IVC Commercial’s Belgian-made LVT floors in two dryback herringbone plank formats. Moduleo Roots 55 Herringbone is the ideal solution for housing developments and commercial offices wanting a herringbone look in a finish that needs to deliver a tough and easy to look after floor. Herringbone Classic (40.6 x 10.7cm) is a versatile plank that’s ideal for housing projects, while Herringbone Short (63.2 x 15.8cm) stops large areas looking too busy.

Both sizes are available in a range of natural wood looks, matched to Moduleo Roots 55 standard planks. Selected designs are also available with EIR (embossed in register), where the texture mimics the wood grain pattern for improved realism. Every Moduleo floor is designed and made in-house, so that every aspect of its quality can be controlled. Moduleo luxury vinyl tiles feature up to 30% recycled content from production waste, processed in the industry’s largest in-house PVC recycling facility. Using IVC Commercial’s ReCover programme can also ensure that installation waste is recovered and recycled. www.ivc-commercial.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

F. BALL MAKES FOR TOP STORY AT CHANNEL 4 NEWS F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Stopgap 300 smoothing compound has been used to create a hard-wearing base for a flooring installation at Channel 4 News’ main broadcast studios in Leeds. The refurbishment involved installing luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) over 120m2 at the television broadcaster’s national headquarters located on the south bank of the river in the city centre.

As well as delivering perfect aesthetics to pass the scrutiny of roaming HD cameras, the flooring had to be super smooth and durable to accommodate the repeated movement of the cameras and other heavy equipment. A site visit from F. Ball’s Technical Service Department identified a subfloor consisting of a powerfloated concrete base that had been subject to several flooring installations since the building was built 25 years prior. Multiple applications of smoothing compound, some of which had failed due to degradation, exposed a dense and shiny power floated concrete surface.

London-based contractors iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP commenced with F. Ball’s recommendation to mechanically remove all layers of old smoothing compound and contaminants to create a suitably smooth, micro textured surface. The substrate was then primed with F. Ball’s Stopgap P131 general purpose primer to prevent the unacceptably rapid drying of the subsequently applied smoothing compound. Once dry, Stopgap 300 smoothing compound was applied at a depth of 3mm over the entire subfloor to provide the firm, smooth base over which the floorcoverings could be installed. Stopgap 300 is walk on hard just 90 minutes after application, allowing for the LVT floorcoverings to be installed little more than three hours later. www.f-ball.co.uk

KENILWORTH SCHOOL BENEFITS FROM FERMACELL® FOR MAJOR RELOCATION PROJECT Following on from its relocation and merger into one allpurpose facility at the start of the academic year, Kenilworth School and Sixth Form is benefitting from the decision by Glancy Nicholls Architects and contractor Morgan Sindall to specify specialist boarding for the ceilings and walls in its new sports hall. Part of a range of products by James Hardie, one of the world's leading manufacturers of building materials, fermacell® is a fibre gypsum board which provides superior fire resistance, acoustic performance and impact strength.

This high-density board simplified the design of the sports hall and created more space by narrowing the width of the walls. This not only helped with the speed of the build but also had a positive impact on carbon reduction as fermacell® is manufactured from recycled gypsum, water and wood fibres. The new sports hall is a major part of the new Kenilworth School & Sixth Form which is one of the largest schools constructed in the UK, with a three-story campus with 2,200 places on offer, a 25% increase, helping Kenilworth to cater for its growing population.

Chris Winwood, Commercial Sales Manager at James Hardie commented: "As well as impact resistance and fire performance the exceptional acoustic ratings of fermacell® means the sports hall can be used with complete confidence, and without disturbing other areas of the school. It has been extensively used in the Education sector, as it offers the robustness of blockwork with the speed and install of drywall, saving time, money and space making it ideal for modern school environments.” www.fermacell.co.uk

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Le Chic, The Reborn Of Silestone® Veined Patterns Cosentino launches Le Chic, the latest product offering from Silestone®. A juxtaposition to the more modern look of the Urban Crush series, Le Chic brings elegance and sophistication to the home. This new Silestone® series redefines a timeless classic. A step forward in veined-patterned surfacing with six designs available, that take inspiration from Victorian and Parisian spaces, with a nod to nostalgia with a modern execution.

Le Chic collection is an elegant and sophisticated offering that can be used in all areas in the house. The patterns feature expressive veins and metallic accents that stand out against neutral backdrops like cream or deep blues and blacks, creating depth. Supporting Cosentino’s unwavering pillars of innovation and sustainability. Le Chic represents advancement in Cosentino’s surface manufacturing, as the detailed veining requires an all-new technique of design. The intricate, interlocking veins are made possible by the brand’s new moulding system, giving life to particles and minerals of a wide range of sizes and creating an incredible new texture.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Cosentino’s patented HybriQ+® technology is involved in the process as Silestone® Le Chic is manufactured using 99% reused water and 100% renewable energy, incorporating a minimum of 20% recycled raw materials in its composition, that also has less than 40% of silica. Le Chic collection is composed of six designs: Parisian Blue, Eclectic Pearl, Versailles Ivory, Victorian Silver, Bohemian Flame and Romantic Ash. Parisian Blue – Taking inspiration from the French Capital. This colourway boasts a deep bluish tone with strong personality and powerful character. Inspired by the shades seen in famous Imperial Roman stones, combined with fine veins in ochre tones.

Eclectic Pearl - One of the best examples of the core design idea behind Le Chic. Classic and modern, it features flowing streams of delicate tones incrusted with grains like diamonds on jewellery. (cont...)

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INTERIOR DESIGN

(cont...) Eclectic Pearl hypnotizes with delicate veining, texture, and metallic accents across the whole surface.

Versailles Ivory - The warmest tone of the collection. Very subtle two-toned marbling in the background with gradient effects mesmerize with the flickering lights of its golden sparkle. Versailles Ivory exudes luxury and elegance, reminiscent of the exuberance of the Palace of Versailles.

Victorian Silver - Soft a depth. The cool background tone blends with its silver and dark gray veins to create an elegant colour that fits seamlessly with warm and cold tones.

Bohemian Flame - This color presents subtle sinuous veins with metallic inlays in copper shades. The movement of the golden flows of lava that generate scars on volcanic soil inspires it. It’s reminiscent of the calmly moving golden flame of candles accentuating tiny metallic pieces.

Romantic Ash - Another example of Le Chic's visual excellence. Large rivers and incrustations of grains in various sizes awaken memories of a milky way visible on a clear starry sky.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

The accent of blue strengthens the depth of Romantic Ash. Silestone® & HybriQ+® Le Chic uses HybriQ+®, the exclusive and pioneering technology developed for Silestone® by Cosentino. HybriQ+®, launched in 2020, is a qualitative leap in the evolution of the Silestone® brand.

It features a new production process demonstrating the company’s commitment to the environment, the circular economy and sustainable management.

With HybriQ+®, in addition to Cosentino’s environmental milestones, such as the use of 99% recycled water and 100% renewable electric energy, at least 20% of recycled raw materials are used in the manufacture of Silestone®.

Furthermore, HybriQ+® technology stands out for its new formulation in the composition of Silestone®, where the presence of crystalline silica is significantly reduced.

Urban Crush series has less than 40% crystalline silica in its composition. www.cosentino.com/en-gb/silestone

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Facade Platform Design to Reduce Carbon

By Wojciech Brozyna, Managing Director Aluprof UK Limited.

Platform Design, better known in the construction industry as ‘A Platform approach to Design for Manufacture and Assembly’ or ‘P-DfMA’. It is a specific subset of DfMA, which is the general term for using prefabrication and automation applied project by project basis. P-DfMA is a solution that is designed to be used more programmatically across a range of projects or assets.

So, what is ‘P-DfMA’ and how does it help to reduce construction costs and reduce carbon? In this short article, we aim to explain the basis of this innovative approach to construction and suggest how it could revolutionise our future construction requirements. Initiated by the UK Government in 2017 in their drive to cut costs for new buildings, such as schools, hospitals, offices and social housing, the construction approach takes its lead from the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Defining the construction product requirements, such as internal spaces, storey height, access requirements, to name but a very few of these parameters, the aim is to standardise these requirements and begin to create a ‘list of standard parts’ that creates those spaces.

Doors are a very good example of this approach, available in a range of materials, sizes and hardware options, once adopted as a standard product across many projects, costs can be significantly reduced.

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Including offsite construction to this, whether delivering the product to the site as a kit or in a pre-constructed form, not only lowers costs but also minimises on-site labour, expedites construction on site, and reduces site defects. The same approach can be used in facades and fenestration products. To be fair, aluminium fenestration has seen much of its construction being undertaken off- site for many years, but much more can be done.

to take an early design role in developing a unitised facade system that meets the P-DfMA specification pioneered by architects and engineers Bryden Wood.

Window construction can easily follow what has been done with door sets by adopting standard sizes and hardware options. Windows can be supplied to the site already glazed and installed within panel construction. Curtain wall requirements adopt an off-site unitised construction approach which we know already reduces time on site by approximately 50% whilst further improving quality. A review of five recent projects supplied by Aluprof UK shows the supply of special lengths alone has reduced material supply by an average of 27.5%. Not only does this save on costs but has a significant impact on carbon reduction. But this can go even further. Using a standard product size, profiles can be designed that work nearer to their safety limitsover a given size or length which can further optimise aluminium content.

Construction was led by Sir Robert McAlpine and Mace, working together in an innovative joint venture partnership.

Jaimie Johnston of Bryden Wood comments, “The collaboration with Aluprof was fantastic. It was great to have a partner with such a depth of manufacturing experience who really understood and amplified the benefits of a platform approach. We hope that others will learn and build on the success that was achieved at The Forge and we’ll start to see platforms adopted at scale.”

Adopting a specification of a low-carbon content, usually high in recycled aluminium with low-carbon prime aluminium, further reduces carbon content of these assemblies. It is not just about cost and carbon saving, it is about getting better buildings. From the government’s own analysis under their current construction framework, for every £1 spent just 51% is retained in residual asset value. Reducing time to install on site, reducing wastage, reducing deliveries to site by adopting off-site construction, reducing ‘on site design’, all of which reduce overall site time and programme and all have a big impact on carbon reduction as well.

Using a standard kit of parts reduces the need for bespoke designs which can go hand in hard to improve overall quality. It is also an iterative process, what is learnt on one project leads to a fine tuning of the ‘kit of parts’ which in turn leads to even better future construction and a continuation in the reduction of carbon.

As a result, the P-DfMA approach increases productivity, while reducing carbon, construction time and cost. In a world first, a major project completed under the P-DfMA is The Forge, located just south of the Thames in the city of London. The building is also the first to adopt the UK’s Green Building Council’s definition of a net-zero carbon building in both construction and operation.

With regard to the development of the facade, Aluprof were invited

Padraig Delaney, London Regional Manager for Digital Construction at Sir Robert McAlpine, in his role working with the construction team, sees The Forge as a model for how future projects should be delivered: “The innovation-led approach taken by Landsec has allowed us to push the boundaries with our use of technology.

The more data we have, the better our decision making. It is also important we have the right tools to help us get the most from the data. By driving these digital solutions, as we have done at The Forge, we’re transforming the way we will deliver future projects, identifying the value to each stakeholder and ultimately providing the best value for our clients.”

Tom Cherowbrier, Aluprof’s Major Projects Manager comments: “The bespoke system from Aluprof is finished in three shades of bronze anodising which will offer a sustainable finish and an aesthetic appearance for many decades to come. The new system was designed with a standard +/-15mm stack joint for to accommodate the building movement, as well as an impressive non-standard stack joint for the 7th floor which had to accommodate a +20/-30mm movement. The project also has a range of external feature fins with concealed fixing to provide the building with sight-lines of 120mm and 170mm that project 125mm or 225mm from glazing line.”

The unitised curtain wall system, designed in close collaboration with Bryden Wood, allowed Aluprof to develop a highly-efficient facade unit. The full-size mock-up unit was rigorously tested in Aluprof’s own Research and Innovation Centre in Ogrodzona where it passed air leakage, impact, wind resistance, and water penetration tests. These units were transported in purpose designed, reusable stillages which were then lifted to the floor plates using a combination of large material hoists and tower cranes for installation by specialist installers NACWL. A key feature of the stillage design was to protect the units from any stress and impact during transportation and lift.

The new bespoke system was named MB-SE120 with a U w value of <1.3 W(m 2 K). Aluprof are proud to be one of Europe's largest aluminium systems companies. Specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk, from their UK head office in Altrincham or from their London office at the Building Design Centre by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

TORMAX Delivers Safe Access At New Durham Bus Station Recently completed, the new multimillion pound bus station in the heart of Durham City, features 12 sliding doors that give travellers safe access to embark the buses at the appropriate time. Installed

by NE&C Windows & Doors Ltd, the access points are automated by technologically advanced TORMAX iMotion 2202 operators.

Designed for reliability, TORMAX iMotion operators deliver an exceptional life-span thanks to their unique, Swiss-engineered design.

With all parts that generally wear out, such as gears and brushes, having cleverly been removed, an above average life expectancy is delivered along with minimum maintenance requirements, reducing overall cost of ownership.

IMotion also ticks the sustainability box too, with over 95% of the operators being manufactured from recyclable materials. Located on the site of the old bus station, the state-of-the-art facility offers a safe and welcoming space, encouraging Durham residents

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and visitors to use this more sustainable form of transport, and helping increase footfall into the city centre. Light and airy, the new building has increased the space available for waiting passengers and offers parent and child toilets, improved information displays and additional seating.

Each of the 12 external bus bays is accessed through a TORMAX automatic single sliding door, allowing passengers to wait safely inside, with a clear view of when their bus is ready to board. Installed in bustling destinations globally, the TORMAX AC motor technology and advanced microprocessor control system, work together to provide continuous monitoring of door leaf movements, making automatic adjustments as necessary to deliver exceptionally reliable operation.

The iMotion operators have also been fully certified for rescue and escape routes, and for when the bus station closes its doors at night, an electro-mechanical locking mechanism ensures a high level of security burglary protection. www.tormax.co.uk

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

GET THE LATEST INFORMATION WITH GEZE’S LATEST PRODUCT GUIDE GEZE UK’s latest Product Guide and Price List has been completely revised and updated to make it even easier for architects, architectural ironmongers and specifiers to select the most effective product for their needs. The detailed, illustrated technical guide provides specifiers with essential information about GEZE’s extensive range of door closers, window control systems, sliding door fittings, glass door fittings, and smoke and heat extraction systems and now lists all door closers according to type: with guide rail, link arms, integrated or transom mounted. It also includes the latest editions to the product range.

Created to be completely user-friendly, the guide is divided into five easy-to-use sections so that the comprehensive range of products can be found quickly and efficiently, whilst also providing users with a handy reference guide to the applications of all GEZE products. It includes technical drawings, application descriptions and finishes as well as glass preparation information and technical information on a wide variety of solutions for toughened glass. The Product Guide is available electronically or as hard copy. To order a copy email info.uk@ geze.com. Andy Howland, Sales and Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said: “The industry is constantly changing, new guidelines and legislation are introduced regularly and GEZE continually innovates to ensure that our products remain at the forefront of technological innovations. With this in mind, we publish our comprehensive Product Guide each year so that specifiers have all the information they could need in an easy to use format.” www.geze.co.uk

NEW ISO-CHEMIE CONSTRUCTION SHEETS FOR IMPROVED WINDOW SEALING A new range of construction sheets which provide improved design and installation of windows, is available in the UK from foam sealant tape specialist ISO Chemie. The ISO-TOP construction sheets WF3 are a beneficial addition to the company’s window thermal insulating and load bearing bracket system, ISO-TOP WINFRAMER, offering a rapid and effective solution for boarding out the inside of the fenestration reveal section following installation of the window.

They can be used either as adapter boards as part of a system profile, or as individual components to support profiles, packing strips or shaped window cill parts. Manufactured from high density Thermapor, the sheets have a high load bearing capacity - in excess of 650kPA - and can be quickly cut to shape and size onsite as part of an effective installation and sealing solution. Available in 20 - 100mm thickness, the sheets can be used to adapt roller shutting casings and venetian blind boxes. They can also form the basis for multi-level sealing with joint sealing strips or other ISO Chemie tapes such as ISO-BLOCO One, ISO-BLOCO One Control, ISO-BLOCO 300 and 600. www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

New From Hörmann, The ET500 Series 3 -The Optimal Solution For Collective Garage Doors Hörmann UK have announced the introduction of their ET500 series 3 collective garage doors, providing low maintenance together with extremely smooth and safe operation.

Designed as a nonprotruding up-and-over door, the ET500 has been specifically developed for installations where collective garage doors open directly onto a pavement as the door leaf only swings out by 30mm.

doors and the option to incorporate low threshold wicket door provides easy and safe pedestrian access. The ET500 has a flush fitting frame which is colour matched to the door leaf giving it a particularly neat and attractive finished appearance.

The door has been designed for high use areas and includes wear-free counter-weight technology designed for a service life of at least 250,000 door cycles providing long-term functional reliability.

Also available are door styles which allow for customised, onsite infill panels to match specific building designs and materials. A selection of three new surface mounted infill panels have also just been launched in Corten steel, Stone, and Concrete finishes to provide the option of additional creativity and a hardwearing surface finish.

Whilst a combination of buffers and rollers together with double rubber and damping springs ensure that the door opens and closes smoothly and quietly. In addition, two integrated photocells located within the door frame automatically stop the door should any obstruction be detected within the opening/closing sequence ensuring the highest operational safety standards. Matching side

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Sixteen standard colours are available including White aluminium, the ever-popular Anthracite grey and bold Ruby red, together with RAL colours of choice. Available up to a maximum size of 6000mm wide x 3000mm high, the range includes twelve different styles and door leaf versions with the option of steel and aluminium sheets, expanded mesh and perforated steel.

The ET500 can be fully automated with a Hörmann operator which provides quick and easy access via a hand-held transmitter or mobile phone using the Hörmann BiSecur app, a secure, encrypted bi-directional radio system for added security. www.hormann.co.uk

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

TRADITIONAL TIMBER WINDOWS AND DOORS The Sash Window Workshop specialise in replacing and draught proofing traditional timber windows and doors. They were recently contacted by an architect on behalf of his client to replace the sashes in a period property in South East London. The new sashes needed to retain the traditional style of the existing windows, while upgrading from single glazing to double glazing. A visit was arranged by The Sash Window Workshop’s salesperson, to check the condition of the windows, and a quotation was sent across.

The homeowner decided to proceed with the quotation, and an additional survey was arranged to check the exact details.

This was especially important due to the bespoke nature of installing new sashes into the existing window frames in traditional timber windows. The new sashes were then manufactured at the company’s workshops, before being installed by their fitters. One of the windows was particularly challenging to install because it spanned two floors, with stairs against the inside of the window. Upon completing the work, the homeowner commented that they were very happy with the product and service that they received, noting that they would have no hesitation in recommending The Sash Window Workshop to others.

The company offers installation and repair services across London and Southern England, with a supply only service nationwide. Where necessary, they can comply with listed building or Conservation Area requirements. New joinery is manufactured by their team of skilled craftsmen in Berkshire. The company uses Accoya as standard, which is known for its stability and durability and comes with a 50-year anti-rot guarantee.To obtain a quotation for your project, contact The Sash Window Workshop on 01344 868 668 or visit www.sashwindow.com

Traditional Timber Windows and Doors

High quality, energy efficient timber windows and doors.

Conservation Area specialists. Supply only, supply and install, secondary glazing, and draught proofing.

01344 868 668

www.sashwindow.com

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Profab Access Adds A Five Star Finish To Cardiff’s Newest Luxury Hotel Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round.

Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection,

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the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.

In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation by Hazelwood Carpentry throughout every part of the building, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites. The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bidirectionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance.

The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core.

This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept. The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.

In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this period of time. The riser doors are

31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bidirectionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.

Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages. Manufactured at Profab Access’ Atherstone headquarters in accordance with ISO 9001, the 1500 Series Riser Doors can be specified and installed in a range of configurations to meet each project’s measurements and requirements. www.profabaccess.com

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Kubu Celebrates Double Win at G23 Awards, Anticipates Exciting 2024 Kubu, the leading name in smart security products for the fenestration industry, proudly announces its double victory at the prestigious G23 Awards, clinching the Component Supplier of the Year and New Product of the Year for its innovative Kubu Floating Window Sensor.

These accolades follow close on the heels of it's double success at the National Fenestration Awards, marking a year of outstanding achievements. The Component Supplier of the Year award is a recognition of Kubu's excellence in providing high-quality, reliable components that empower fabricators and installers to deliver superior products.

The New Product of the Year award for the Kubu Floating Window Sensor underscores Kubu's commitment to pioneering smart security solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern homeowners. Kubu's impact in the industry was further highlighted with nominations for the Business Initiative of the

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Year for it's "Works with Kubu" initiative and the Rising Star Award for Morgan Fisher, Kubu's Marketing Executive. Her exceptional work in Kubu's Pro Installer Scheme and with Building Our Skills has been instrumental in enhancing industry standards and skills. As the company celebrates these achievements, it looks forward to an even more exciting 2024.

With multiple product and service launches on the horizon, Kubu is set to continue its trajectory of innovation and growth. These upcoming offerings will further solidify it's position as the market leader in smart home technology, providing unmatched security and convenience.

Stay tuned as Kubu embarks on this journey, promising to deliver groundbreaking solutions that redefine smart security. Please contact Marc Henson, Head of Marketing at Kubu Smart Security, by calling 0330 555 9545 or emailing: marc@getkubu.com

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING Now

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To find out more about Kubu and how Smart Security can add value to your next project, visit: getkubu.com/trade or email: sales@getkubu.com

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Rundum Meir Façade Doors Uniquely Reflect Manchester Landmark’s Heritage A bronze façade featuring integrated Rundum Meir garage doors for two new townhouses in central Manchester has been uniquely designed to reflect the architecture of the nearby John Rylands Library, one of the city’s most famous neo-Gothic buildings.

The duo of four storey, high specification private dwellings designed by Snook Architects for regeneration specialist Watch This Space have given new purpose to an unused site nestling between two post-industrial buildings close to Deansgate. Their full height bronze façade delivers a striking external appearance that takes a distinctive visual cue from the library, located opposite.

The houses are designed around an inverted living approach, enabling the architects to maximise the footprint of the site and use the space to its full potential. Above the garages are floors accommodating the bedrooms, with the living, dining and kitchen areas on the upper floors, and a rooftop courtyard/garden completing the arrangement.

Photos © Andrew Haslam Photography (andyhaslam.com)

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

The aluminium façade of both townhouses features laser cut and acid-etched lacy blind tracery patterns that match those in the windows of the library, a late Victorian neo-Gothic building which opened in 1900 and is now part of the University of Manchester. The lacy pattern extends over the full height of the façade which includes large folding/sliding shutters.

These balance privacy with natural light requirements for residents during the day whilst being eye-catching at night as internal light shines through the laser cut pattern. This design extends into the twin side sliding sectional garage doors manufactured and installed by Rundum Meir, which effectively deliver a sliding façade at street level.

Working closely with architect Neil Dawson, Rundum Meir’s designers were able to replicate the design with total consistency and manufacture in Germany using acid etching across the six aluminium sections. Neil Dawson of Snook Architects said: “Watch This Space approached us to look at how they could transform this

city centre site and we immediately saw the potential to take design inspiration from the nearby John Rylands Library. The resulting façade is unique, and through the movement of the shutters and garage doors during daily life it is constantly moving and changing."

“The laser cut pattern means that the building really comes to life at night as the internal light makes the intricate façade design a stunning feature. To be able to match this styling in the garage doors was crucially important and the result reflects the bespoke craftsmanship provided by Rundum Meir.” The twin Rundum Meir sliding garage doors each provide a clear opening of 3.8 m for easy vehicle access from the street.

Hand made using extruded aluminium, the fully automated bespoke garage doors have an automated pedestrian door as well as the side sliding door that demonstrate the design flexibility offered by Rundum Meir, who create every garage door to meet project requirements. www.rundum.co.uk

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

DOMUS VENTILATION LAUNCHES DMEV-NICO FAN FOR NEW BUILD HOMES UK ventilation manufacturer Domus Ventilation has launched a new Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) fan, dMEV-NICO, to provide continuous background extract ventilation for new build properties. Designed to remove waste and moist air from a single wet room, such as bathrooms and kitchens, dMEV fans continuously extract the waste air at both low trickle or boost speeds which, in the case of the new dMEV-NICO, is automatic thanks to a built in monitoring device which detects occupants’ operation.

For housebuilders, dMEV-NICO provides a cost effective extract solution that has been built to achieve the ventilation rates as set out in the latest edition of Part F and L Building Regulations. It also has low life cycle and maintenance costs, is virtually silent operation, and has a modern, unobtrusive aesthetic that makes it suitable for all styles of home. Highly flexible, dMEV-NICO is suitable for wall, ceiling and window mounting. Wall and in-room installation kits, which come with all the necessary parts to fit the fan – including ducting and grilles – make for a swift, straightforward installation.

Set up and commissioning have also been made simple through the provision of a digital control, which also ensures greater accuracy. dMEV-NICO is listed on the SAP PCDB database and comes with a 5 year warranty as standard. It is the latest addition to Domus Ventilation’s range of quality ventilation solutions for residential new build properties. www.domusventilation.co.uk/catalog_products/dmev-nico/

STELRAD LAUNCHES FIRST EVER ‘GREEN STEEL’ RADIATOR SERIES – WITH TATA STEEL… Leading radiator manufacturer Stelrad Radiators is going green with another UK powerhouse Tata Steel to exclusively offer the first 90% green steel radiator range. Tata Steel is supplying UK made 90% Carbon Lite steel exclusively to Stelrad within the radiator market, so that Stelrad customers can choose a Green Compact radiator range that contributes directly to a reduction in atmospheric CO2 today and accelerates decarbonisation in the future. Tata Steel is a UK leading strip steel manufacturer with steelmaking facilities in Port Talbot in South Wales.

The steel comes with a certificate from DNV – Det Norske Veritas to prove the steel has 90% lower embodied CO2 emissions. The process for producing the steel is called Optemis Carbon Lite.

All revenues generated by the process are reinvested to fund additional projects, thereby generating further CO2 savings to be verified by DNV and speeding up decarbonisation efforts within the UK. Customers purchasing a green radiator from the new Stelrad Green Series will be saving the equivalent expenditure of driving a small car over 250 miles per radiator purchased. www.stelrad.com

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

HAMWORTHY LAUNCHES NEW CIBSE ACCREDITED HEAT PUMP CPD AND WHITE PAPER Hamworthy Heating has announced two new resources – ‘An Introduction to Heat Pumps’ CIBSE Approved CPD and ‘The Hamworthy Roadmap to Decarbonisation’ White Paper. Ideal for specifiers and installers wishing to understand more about heat pumps and the latest industry developments, ‘An Introduction to Heat Pumps’ is the latest CIBSE-accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) course from Hamworthy Heating. Covering the main heat pump operating principles such as energy, refrigeration, technology and efficiency, the latest CPD offering from highlights the different types of commercial heat pump equipment available and explores the influencing factors which need to be considered before heat pump selection.

Also focusing on heat pump design principles, ‘An Introduction to Heat Pumps’ looks at the main points to consider when it comes to designing a heat pump system, before concluding with an overview of market drivers and government incentives. To further support the transition to low carbon heating and hot water, the new ‘Hamworthy Roadmap to Decarbonisation: Planning Your Journey’ White Paper features an in-depth examination of decarbonisation. Looking at the current landscape; the latest White Paper from Hamworthy discusses the challenges of implementing a roadmap to decarbonisation and how heat pumps play a pivotal role in this transition. www.hamworthy-heating.com

WYKAMOL LAUNCHES ULTRA-THIN ISOTHERM RETROFIT INSULATION Wykamol has launched an innovative, patented textile-based thermal wall insulation which is ideal for creating dry and warm walls, primarily in retrofit situations, with the potential to save energy and protect properties from penetrating damp. ISO-THERM is an ultra-thin - approximately 4mm thick - specially woven polyester-based material which, due to its flexibility and ease of use, can quickly be cut around light switches, sockets, radiator brackets, architraves, skirting boards and even complex shaped decorative mouldings.

The ISO-THERM membrane is secured to the brick or block substrate with Wykamol’s unique ISO-THERM Adhesive, applied at a thickness of approximately 5mm using a notched trowel. The ISO-THERM is then simply rolled into the glue before receiving a plaster skim coat, affording an overall finish of approximately 10mm. The ISO-THERM material is both waterproof and vapour permeable, so resists lateral damp transference to prevent natural surface nitrates and chlorides forming as efflorescence and therefore does not support the growth of surface mould, instead allowing the wall to breathe. ISO-THERM offers a thermal conductivity of 0.34 W/mK, translating into a typical U-value for solid masonry walls, once treated of 1.488 W/m 2 K and an average percentage improvement in energy performance of 21.6 %.

ISO-THERM is stable enough to accommodate a multitude of wall finishes and can even be applied to sound plasterboard. The ISOTHERM Adhesive, meanwhile, is a ready-to-use mineral-based paste, composed of stabilised potassium silicate, siliceous aggregates, graded quartz sand and other additives. Importantly it is also waterrepellent and vapour permeable. www.wykamol.com 49

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Good Things In Small Packages: Zehnder Group Launches The ComfoAir Flex For Improved Air Quality In Tight Living Spaces Leading indoor climate solutions manufacturer, Zehnder Group UK, has unveiled the Zehnder ComfoAir Flex - the latest energy efficient mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) specifically designed for tight spaces and challenging installation environments. Small in size and narrow enough to be ceiling mounted, the new ComfoAir Flex is a compact solution for improving indoor air quality in urban apartments, small houses and student accommodation, where space is at a premium. Not a mere space-saving gimmick; despite its compact size, the ComfoAir Flex boasts a market-leading heat recovery efficiency rate of 96%, ensuring minimal heat loss and contributing to substantial energy savings. The new system also performs to current and future EPB requirements at energy class A+. As a result, it reduces demand on heating systems and contributes to lower CO2 emissions - a step in line with Zehnder Group UK's commitment to environmental sustainability.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

What makes the ComfoAir Flex most adaptable to a wide scope of buildings, however, is an innovative and trailblazing feature for an MVHR. Working alongside the system’s ceiling-mounted design are four, 45 degree turnable bends for versatile duct installation. Each air connection can be individually turned to connect to a duct inline with the unit or rotated 90 degrees.

This allows flexibility for building developers to design projects however they want with less restrictions.

Stuart Smith, Commercial Director at Zehnder Group UK says: “The ComfoAir Flex brings a potential revolution to the UK construction industry. Its unique attributes could significantly alter the industry’s approach to environmental sustainability and occupant comfort, addressing the critical need for energyefficient, space-conscious buildings in the urban landscape.

This new system exemplifies our commitment to the Passive House standard - a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in building design - reducing its ecological footprint.

With its high heat recovery efficiency, that adheres to these principles, it will ensure a significant reduction in energy consumption, thereby lowering CO2 emissions."

The ComfoAir Flex is more than just an energy-efficient solution. It also champions superior indoor air quality, a crucial element for the health and well-being of building occupants.

Its upgradable high-grade filters and 100% full and filtered modulating summer bypass maintain a continuous flow of fresh, filtered air, significantly enhancing occupant comfort and health. Adding to these benefits, the ComfoAir Flex provides an unmatched level of flexibility and convenience.

Its software allows for left or right-hand configuration, adding an element of adaptability to its installation. Furthermore, its Wi-Fi enabled app control as standard gives users complete control over their indoor climate, contributing to an enhanced user experience. The system can also be integrated into Smart Home via KNX and ventilate on demand thanks to the CO2 sensor. www.zehnder.co.uk/en/comfoair-flex

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VIEWPOINT

MVHR: Maximising Energy Efficiency

By Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager The cost of living crises has been with us since 2021. Food and energy - particularly gas - prices have risen markedly, and it’s pretty much impossible to tell for certain if energy prices will come down, not least because wholesale energy prices are affected by global issues, such as the war in Ukraine. The one thing we can say with certainty when it comes to domestic energy prices, is that people across the UK are feeling the pinch. Whilst short term measures can be taken by consumers to save energy at home, to have any real impact, we need to change how we build our homes in the first place, making them more thermally efficient.

Changes to Building Regulations have been driving this, making homes more air tight, accompanied by more stringent ventilation requirements to avoid overheating in the summer months and to ensure better quality indoor air.Building Regulations - Ventilation Changes to Building Regulations ‘Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings’ (ADF1) has considerably increased minimum ventilation rates across all sizes of properties, making whole house mechanical ventilation systems the most proficient option; in the case of larger properties with minimum ventilation rates up 43l/s, they really are the only option!

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VIEWPOINT

These are to be used in place of the more traditional ventilation methods, such as trickle vents and extractor fans, which are not able to deliver the higher air flow rates required and are also responsible for dissipating around 30% of the energy delivered to buildings the International Energy Agency calculates.

MVHR’s Role in Saving Energy - Whole house mechanical ventilation systems in the form of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) largely avoids this scenario by using a heat exchanger to recover the heat in stale air from wetrooms and transferring it to the incoming fresh air, which is then filtered and distributed within the home. The Domus Ventilation HRXE MVHR range uses a highly efficient heat exchanger which is capable of recovering up to 95% of the heat from the waste air stream. Whilst MVHR systems aren’t a replacement for heating systems, they help reduce the heating load required from that system, reducing energy usage. The Centre for Sustainable Energy estimates heating costs can be reduced by around 25% 1 . The cost to run an MVHR system obviously varies depending on the size of the property, building fabric, lifestyle and occupancy, and the energy tariff etc., but they are inexpensive to run.

Maximising MVHR energy efficiency - To ensure maximum energy efficiency is gained from an MVHR system, there are certain aspects that you need to take into account.

Firstly, it’s vital to correctly size the MVHR system for the property, so that it neither under or over ventilates. The former means it won’t deliver the ventilation required under Building Regulations and will be noisy as the fan works overtime to cope.

The latter will not be energy efficient. When installing the system, be sure to use good quality ducting that has been designed to work in harmony as part of that system and has been third party tested for end-to-end system performance, as has all Domus Ventilation ducting. For maximum efficiency, I recommend MVHR systems be used with rigid ducting in larger sizes, and that all duct connections are sealed and taped. This will make for low air resistance, which is important for energy efficiency.

Also on the ducting front, be sure to use ducting insulation where the ducting passes through unheated areas and voids, such as loft spaces and on the intake and the exhaust, as required under Building Regulations.

When installation is completed, commission the MVHR system accurately. Any mistakes here will result in over or under ventilating, and all the work you have done could be compromised. MVHR systems when in operation need very little attention, but the filters do need to be replaced.

We recommend they are inspected every six months and replaced annually to ensure they continue to perform efficiently. In most cases this a very simple task that can be performed by the resident via the front access panel of the MVHR unit. Be sure to explain this to the resident if you are working directly for them.

Conclusion - An MVHR system alone isn’t going to mean residents can switch their heating off in the depths of winter, but enabling them to shave up to a quarter off their heating bill will most certainly help now in the cost of living crises and in the future. When you combine this with the improved indoor air quality an MVHR system brings, it’s a winning combination.

Domus Ventilation is a manufacturer of marketleading ventilation systems that save energy and improve indoor air quality. www.domusventilation.co.uk vent.info@domusventilation.co.uk

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VIEWPOINT

What To Look For In Heating Controls

Most controls manufacturers now offer boiler plus compliant controls which offer time and temperature settings plus load compensation which provides the ability to modulate the flow temperature from the boiler based on the actual room temperature. This requires the control and boiler to communicate, sometimes via OpenTherm communication.

There is a plethora of heating controls on the market that installers, builders and new homes designers should carefully select from for their individual requirements, according to ESi Controls

OpenTherm ensures the boiler modulates the flow temperature to provide an accurate control over the desired room temperature and stops the boiler cycling on and off, therefore reducing gas use, saving money for homeowners. Boiler Plus compliance can also be met using a Smart Control which provides automation of time and temperature settings and optimisation which calculates the time needed for the heating system to reach the desired comfort level, optimising the heating system’s operation to ensure it uses the least amount of energy to attain the desired temperature.

Smart controls can be connected to a smart phone or tablet offering the ability for the users to control their systems remotely offering more flexibility to lower energy use.

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VIEWPOINT

The design of a new smart control must provide the user with a simple, easy to use and understand interface between them and their heating system.

Manufacturers now provide a range of controls which offer different features and functions to suit the homeowner’s age range and personal requirements such as larger clearer screens for the visually impaired and larger temperature selection buttons to allow elderly and vulnerable people to simply turn their heating up or down subject to their comfort levels.

Similarly, smart controllers now offer sleeker designs which blend into a modern home featuring glass and stainless steel with a lack of switches and buttons with the controls being touchscreen or app based to suit a younger demographic. It is key for manufacturers to design a range of controls to provide choice for the architect and the heating engineer to offer their customers based on their budget, age range and personal preference, to suit the modern lifestyle whilst offering the features and functions to comply with the energy efficiency legislation.

With many heating controls being controlled from apps on smart phones and tablets, the ability to control a heating system at any time of day and from virtually anywhere means you can be in more control than when you are at home.

Modern controls allow you to control several heating zones in the home and control these individually and more accurately so you can easily increase the temperature in the rooms you will use as you head home after work, for example. And you can monitor the temperature levels in different parts of the home, reducing temperatures in rooms that will not be used but leaving enough background heat to keep them comfortable.

With energy prices increasing its important to take a close look at every way in which energy can be saved and costs kept to a minimum and this is why ESi and some other manufacturers controls are OpenTherm compatible. The way OpenTherm works allows far smoother transition of heating control, which reduces energy and saves money. Using OpenTherm will save between 10 and 15% on the gas bill.

OpenTherm is a non-manufacturer-dependent system of communication currently utilised predominantly between modulating HVAC heating appliances and room thermostats. It consists of a communication protocol and an interface specification. OpenTherm utilises an established technology combining simple installation procedure with high functionality and future expansion possibilities.

Most manufacturers now have an app that allows you to control your heating from pretty much anywhere from your smart phone or tablet. As Smart control grows in the UK you will be able to control most of your appliances and electronic devices remotely via an app and one of the options will be to control your heating across the different zones in the home so that its comfortable for when you arrive home after work or to reduce energy consumption when going out.

We believe it is essential to offer a range of controls that are easily useable by end users of all ages and abilities. The type of heating controls you install should reflect the individual users of those controls not just the latest technology available.

Elderly and vulnerable people may prefer a simple control that they can understand easily and operate without needing to think about the complexities of smart controls.

The latest wi-fi controlled touch screen controls may be the height of functionality for younger homeowners and they may cope well with them, but some older people may struggle. Many manufacturers, including us here at ESi have a range of controls available and we can offer simpler heating controls which still comply with the legislation as well as the latest smart control options. www.esicontrols.co.uk

We’re optimistic that we’ll see increased awareness of OpenTherm controls in the next few months as people begin to realise the savings these controls offer when connected to a modern condensing gas boiler.

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PROJECT INSIGHT

WRAPTITE® IS THE SOLUTION FOR DUNDEE YOUNG PERSONS’ HOME The Wraptite external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group has been chosen for its high performance airtight insulation for a new home for young people in Dundee, Scotland. The new £3m single-storey building will be a home for some of the most vulnerable young people in the city where they can grow up in a supportive and caring setting. The project design includes ensuite bedrooms, shared living space, dining, kitchen, and activities facilities, and accommodation for staff.

Robertson Construction Tayside secured the project as part of a direct award through Places for People Procurement Hub Framework. The specification created by Dundee City Council Architects for the project was to use materials to achieve high value performance and help achieve good airtightness. Robertson Construction Tayside appointed Robertson Timber Engineering as the timber frame manufacturer and supplier for the project.

Nicola Jackson, Net Zero Projects Lead at Robertson Group explained. “Installing the product at low level in the factory allowed the membrane to be more easily applied and avoided the risk of working at height. The factory installation also enabled the product to be installed in completely dry conditions to ensure full adhesion in a quality-controlled environment to deliver the required airtightness requirements. The product is very durable and provides excellent protection, reducing any risk of damage on site.” The Wraptite air barrier system is a safe and simplified membrane system. It provides a fully self-adhered vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness. www.proctorgroup.com

FIREFLY ® ZEUS HORIZONTAL BARRIERS PROTECT EAST MIDLANDS OFFICE’S STAIR CORES High performance but low weight fire barriers from the range of FIREFLY ® have been specified by one of the manufacturer’s accredited installers, to upgrade the fire protection within the stair cores to a large office property in the East Midlands continuing a burgeoning business relationship between the two specialists. The work on the two-storey commercial property, which dates from the 1990s, has been carried out by Coventry based KRASI Fire Protection using the FIREFLY ® Zeus Horizontal 60:30 barrier, with FIREFLY’s Technical Manager for the region attending site to offer design guidance, as well as during the contract period.

The improvements were confined to the first-floor ceiling voids above each of the building’s four staircases, but will help ensure escape routes are maintained in the event of any future emergency.

FIREFLY ® Zeus Horizontal is a lightweight flexible fire barrier designed to provide fire compartmentation of larger concealed spaces and voids within buildings, offering 60 minutes integrity and 30 minutes insulation. It has been specifically developed and tested for horizontal installation, including fitting around service penetrations. Manufactured from woven and non-woven glass, the FIREFLY ® range is designed to optimise resistance to flame and smoke as well as offer heat protection in a wide range of scenarios. The barriers are easy to install horizontally or vertically using a full selection of FIREFLY ® ancillary products to ensure a fully tested and certified installed system. www.tbafirefly.com

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PROJECT INSIGHT

TRITON SYSTEMS USED IN UNDERPINNING OLD KENT WATER MILL One of Triton Systems most experienced installers has employed a package of its waterproofing products, while carrying technically challenging improvements to the basement and substructure of a 19th century watermill in Kent. Archer Specialist Treatments was called in by the South African based owner of the scenic residential property near Ashford, owing to it suffering continuing problems of water ingress as the floor level lies nearly two metres below the surface of the old mill pond.

Paul Halliwell, a Chartered Builder and Director of Archer Specialist Treatments, recounted: “The waterproofing and conservation work on this old water mill were made more complicated by the fact that the floor level had been previously lowered by another building company, without properly tanking the structure and also the fact the client wanted to retain a decorative stonework wall within the basement.”

The remedial foundation works involved excavating one metre long sections of the old blue clay sub-soil from beneath the existing footings to a width of 400 mm, before installing reinforcing cages and building a shutter to retain high strength concrete. Once this had reached sufficient strength, the intermediate sections were dug out and cast before Triton’s CM8 studded drainage membrane was installed along the full 10 metre length. This drains down into a similar length of Triton Aquachannel, connecting to one of the manufacturer’s submersible pumps. The complete system also features one of Triton’s battery-powered back up pumps, providing insurance against power cuts.” www.tritonsystems.co.uk

OXFORD COLLEGE’S FACILITY FIRE PROTECTED USING 9MM MAGPLY The alterations and refurbishment of the SCR, Dining Hall and Kitchen at Trinity College Oxford are nearing completion with 9mm and 12mm Magply boards from the range of IPP Ltd. being used in some situations, having been specified to provide the necessary fire compartmentation, as well as other performance benefits. The work to fit out the kitchen, bar, offices, fully accessible toilets and ancillary areas is being undertaken by Savvy Construction, from nearby Horspath, while Original Field of Architecture is the architectural practice responsible for the design work.

This has included using two layers of the A1 rated, noncombustible Magply to clad either side of timber studwork in order to create a half hour separation and provide compartmentation for a single storey staff sitting room. Independently tested to demonstrate they offer A1 non-combustible performance, Magply boards are routinely specified in place of OSB and plywood as a sheathing for steel framed high-rise properties, as well as in flat and pitched roof construction. Additionally, with an ultra-low 0.01 % chloride content, the stability and durability of Magply sees it recommended as a backer board for proprietary render systems. www.magply.co.uk

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PROJECT INSIGHT Photo: Chris Hodson

Lightweight Retrofit with Nordic Copper Adaptive reuse of existing buildings is an essential strategy to reduce embodied carbon, while regenerating our urban environments. An exemplar of this approach – 72 Broadwick Street – is crowned by a profiled roofscape clad in Nordic Brown Light copper from Aurubis. Set within the Soho Conservation Area, 72 Broadwick Street is a half-acre island site fronting London’s iconic Carnaby Street.

Originally built in the 1970s as a ‘brutalist’ concrete, seven- storey headquarters building, its recent extensive mixed-use redevelopment now provides a range of uses including offices, restaurants, a gym, retail and residential units. Designed by architects Buckley Gray Yeoman (BGY) for developer Shaftesbury Carnaby, the regeneration project demonstrates how a diverse range of uses can be accommodated within one urban block in the heart of London.

72 Broadwick Street was recognised as the ‘Best Mixed-Use Scheme’ by the 2023 Building London Planning Awards. As well as requiring major structural alterations and remodelling, the project also presented various challenges for architects BGY, planning consultant Rolfe Judd and main contractor Blenheim House Construction. They included working around the West End’s largest electrical substation, keeping existing ground floor units operational and minimising impact upon a major retail destination.

The building’s exterior has been transformed with new fenestration throughout, new feature brickwork and existing brickwork treated to give the complete development a contemporary feel.

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PROJECT INSIGHT Photo: Dirk Lindner

Reduced Structural Demands - The original fifth and sixth storeys were demolished and replaced with extensive, lightweight rooftop additions wrapped in an external skin of Nordic Brown Light copper, creating residential apartments around a central courtyard.

Eleven of the fifteen apartments have distinctive pitched roofs that rise and fall to create a dynamic roof profile. Ben Oram, BGY’s Head of Technical, said: “In one of inner London’s densest districts, the profiled roofscape of this re-purposed urban block helps to embed it among the varied age, materiality and massing of its neighbours.”

Conceived as the ‘crown’ of the building, the copper roof eaves sit above terraces enjoying panoramic views across Soho, with their deep overhang contributing to solar shading. Copper is also used extensively for vertical cladding in the form of cassette panels, some perforated to provide ventilation. (cont...)

Photo: CGS Photographers, courtesy of Blenheim House Construction Ltd

Photo: Maris Tomba 59

PROJECT INSIGHT

(cont...) Rachael Owens, BGY’s Head of Sustainability, explained: “Copper cladding was chosen due to its lightweight nature, as the structure at the top of the building needed to be as light as possible to prevent the need to strengthen the existing structure below. When compared with alternative metal cladding products, the copper could be specified with a reduced thickness, due to its strength, which reduced overall material use and embodied carbon emissions”.

The Nordic Brown Light roofing and cladding, supplied by Aurubis stockist Metra Non Ferrous Metals and carefully installed and crafted by Roles Broderick, defines the regeneration of this landmark building. Nordic Brown copper is pre-oxidised in the Aurubis factory to provide straightaway the same oxidised surface that develops naturally over time externally. The lighter or darker shades of brown – determined by the thickness of the oxide layer – will continue to change in the environment and Nordic Brown Light gradually develops a stable dark chocolate brown colour.

Living Copper Surfaces - Factory-applied surface treatments can also provide patination for Nordic Copper products straightaway and to a selected level. This is particularly useful for vertical surfaces which might not otherwise develop a blue/green patina. Many of the processes involved are very similar to those taking place in the environment. They utilise copper mineral compounds, not alien chemical actions, bringing forward environmental changes without taking away the integrity of copper as a natural, living material.

Photo: Dirk Lindner

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PROJECT INSIGHT

Photo: Dirk Lindner

Photo: Ben Oram/BGY

Photo: Dirk Lindner

These surface treatments include pre-oxidisation and pre-patination, utilising the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. With Nordic Green, Blue and Turquoise, the process can be accurately controlled so that, as well as the solid colours, other intensities of patina flecks can be created revealing some of the dark oxidised background material to give a ‘living’ surface. Of course, copper alloys have been used throughout history too, with Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass popular for architectural applications. Another, innovative copper alloy – Nordic Royal – gives a rich golden through-colour which is retained without developing a blue/green patina.

Recyclable and Sustainable - There is more to architectural copper than meets the eye in terms of performance, adaptability and sustainability.

Copper is fully recyclable utilising long-established practices – 97% of copper in construction comes from recycling. With an unrivalled lifespan due to its integral protective patination, it requires no maintenance or decoration and with an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is suitable for cladding taller buildings, using appropriate constructions. www.nordiccopper.com E-mail: NordicCopper@aurubis.com

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PROJECT INSIGHT

MARMOX THERMOBLOCKS SPECIFIED ON WIGAN PASSIVHAUS DEVELOPMENT The final phase of a PassivHaus development is just getting under way in Wigan with high performance Thermoblocks from the range of Marmox being used to counter cold bridging beneath a highly insulated timber frame construction. The St. Mary’s project is being under taken for Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council by principal contractor, Tyson Construction with Pozzoni Architecture being the lead architectural consultant and BTP Architects gilling the roll of specialist PassivHaus assessor.

All of the Thermoblocks in 100mm and 140mm widths, along with boxes of the special Marmox 360 adhesive are being supplied by Travis Perkin’s Blackpool branch.

The scheme to provide much needed affordable and easy to heat new homes has been part-funded by the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

The Site Manager for Tyson Construction, Matt Horrocks, commented: “For fitting the timber frame soleplates it is necessary to do a ‘setting out’ course across the block-and-beam, with the dense concrete block serving to contain the screed. The 140mm Thermoblocks are laid beneath all the external walls, followed by a 140 common brick course and then the standard blocks. This is repeated for the internal and party walls, but with a course of 100 mm Thermoblocks creating the fully insulated barrier.” When complete the development will provide eight one-bed apartments, nine two bed houses and ten three bed houses, plus a further four with four bedrooms. There will also be 16 one and two bedroom bungalows. www.marmox.co.uk

12MM MAGPLY BOARDS ENSURE SUSTAINABLE SIPS PANEL PASSES FIRE TEST IPP Ltd.’s widely specified Magply Boards have been successfully employed by the Surrey based manufacturer of an innovative new Structural Insulated Panel - or Bio-SIP™ system - in order to achieve compliance with EN-1365-1 and demonstrate the environmentally produced solution can be utilised for even more types of construction.

Qube Building was established in 2021 to create small and versatile habitable structures which have been utilised as garden studios, forest lodges, pool changing rooms, gymnasiums and for other applications with performance and demountability at their heart.

Crucially, its Bio-SIP™ panel system is able to match the coveted PassivHaus standard and has now undergone further evolution to incorporate the ArmaPET R Eco50 insulation from Armacell. Qube Building’s Director, Justin Murray explained: “The Bio-SIP™ system offers unique innovation in sustainable modular building systems with unmatched thermal stability. Organic materials such as flax or hemp fibre matting are combined with a bio-resin to form a strong and watertight skin, sandwiching the insulating PET core together.

The Bio-SIP™ is finished with the addition of 12mm Magply MgO boards, which offer complete and necessary fire resistance to the overall building, improving structural performance and creating a versatile substrate to paint, render or print onto.” Combined, these materials create a higher performing alternative to traditional SIPs, with Bio-SIP™ delivering a U-value of 0.10 W.m 2 K within an overall wall thickness of just 310mm. www.magply.co.uk

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PROJECT INSIGHT

WRAPTITE® PROTECTION CHOSEN FOR ISLE OF MAN SEAFRONT PROPERTY The Wraptite external air barrier system from A. Proctor Group, selected as part of the façade upgrade to a sea-facing property in Douglas, Isle of Man, will ensure energy efficiency and protection from the elements. The Peveril Buildings, previously home for 20 years to the Lloyds Banking Group, is situated in the centre of the Isle of Man’s Business District, opposite Douglas Sea Terminal. The iconic property is one of the first office buildings to be seen by visitors arriving by ferry.

Based in Ballasalla on the island, Excel Construction Group was appointed to upgrade the facade and improve the building’s structure, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. Andrew Burley, Quantity Surveyor at the Excel Group, explains why Wraptite, the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA, was selected. “We chose Wraptite for the breather membrane because of its effectiveness as a vapour barrier and durability. In addition, the nature of Wraptite, being a self-adhesive fix rather than the traditional use of staples and mechanical fixing, assisted with the durability in the high wind conditions prevalent on the seafront location.”

Wraptite combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane.

Incorporating Wraptite saves on both the labour and material costs associated with achieving the energy efficiency demands in buildings. Wraptite is Class B1-s1,d0, compliant with Part B regulation changes for use in the external wall systems of buildings over 18m in height, both as a continuous layer on sheathing board behind fire classified insulation, and for use to tape joints in insulation behind rainscreen. www.proctorgroup.com

VIVA TORQUAY MAKES MORE OF ITS FLOOR WITH IVC COMMERCIAL Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Heterogeneous Vinyl from IVC Commercial have given entertainment venue, Viva Torquay, an interior that’s ready for creating a vibrant and welcoming experience. With a vision for a modern street food restaurant on the ground floor with a games zone on upper floors, the owners of Viva Torquay have turned an old and weathered fish and chip shop into one of the town’s best entertainment venues. Viva Torquay is now a year-round destination for the town’s residents and seasonal holidaymakers. As part of the refurbishment of the building, a range of floors from IVC Commercial have been chosen, turning the 500m 2 games zone into a compelling and mesmerizing play of pattern and texture.

Moduleo Roots Luxury Vinyl Tiles in Country Oak and Glade Oak create a striped design across the space, adding a welcoming ambience thanks to their natural wood aesthetic with the monochromatic look matching the black ceilings and white painted architectural details of the historic building. Teamed with floor-level LED lighting, it’s a striking effect that also helps to zone activity areas. The floor is ideal for the daily demands of the busy venue. Elsewhere in the games zone, IVC Commercial’s Heterogeneous Vinyl floors feature with the vibrant Optimise 70 in crystal pink and Isafe 70 in mustard bringing vibrant colour to the floor. These hardwearing and easy to maintain floors stay looking good under intense use. Optimise 70 offers improved impact noise reduction, while Isafe 70 delivers 42+ TRRL slip-restraint. Both floors feature Sanitec for additional antibacterial protection. www.ivc-commercial.com

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PROJECT INSIGHT

Cupa Pizarras Provides Sustainable Rainscreen Cladding For Modern Home CUPACLAD®, a rainscreen cladding system, has recently been installed as part of a 1980s ecobungalow refurbishment in Tarporley, Cheshire.

The manufacturer was selected thanks to its reputation for supplying high quality, natural products with a clear point of origin, while the cladding system also complemented the home’s sustainable ethos.

Architect Jon Moorhouse and his wife purchased the derelict bungalow with aspirations to keep the original eco-friendly design but bring it into the 21st century to create an almost zero-carbon home. As such, a second storey was added to the existing building, which was then super-insulated.

The exterior was redesigned using a recycled steel substructure, Staffordshire bricks and local green oak for parts of the cladding. Throughout the project, emphasis was placed on sourcing the highest quality materials that would blend in with the surrounding rural landscape while maintaining a contemporary design. To this endeavor, Jon sought a natural slate cladding system, as he felt it would work well with the green oak elements.

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He came across CUPACLAD® slate rainscreen cladding and reached out to CUPA PIZARRAS. The team visited Jon’s architectural practice to present a CPD and discuss the project. It was soon decided that CUPACLAD® would be ideal as it could achieve all the aesthetic and sustainability requirements as both CUPACLAD® 101 and 201 systems have achieved BRE Global Verified Status and appear in the GreenBook live database.

Fully BBA approved, CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard – the system eventually specified - is 100% noncombustible, with an A1 fire-rating, and offers a lifespan of over 100 years.

Jon Moorhouse commented: “I was looking for vertical hanging slate that would fit with the colour scheme of the house, while also contrasting with the oak elements. The design for the balcony also uses vertical cladding, so we wanted a horizontal slate to complement these lines. CUPACLAD® really helped us to achieve this vision.”

PROJECT INSIGHT

Simon Hope, CUPACLAD® Product Manager at CUPA PIZARRAS, explained why slate was ideal from an environmental perspective: “CUPA PIZARRAS owns its quarries, so we can extract the material ourselves, process it locally, and return to mountains any excess material that isn’t used – so this entire process has a very small impact on the local environment.

While our quarries are in Spain and transportation is required, as a carbon neutral company our output is minimised and completely offset.” Ease of installation was also required.

Gavin Bailey from Sparta Cladding commented: “Overall, CUPACLAD® is a great product - easy to handle and install.

The support we received from CUPA PIZARRAS was excellent and we’ve built a good relationship with the team who offered to come to site and demonstrate the best way to install the system. They were also able to supply us with resources that clearly illustrated the installation process and offered detailed design solutions that could be developed into practical site applications."

“As with most sub-grid systems, the support system is fundamental to the final installation and aesthetics of the building, this ultimately dictates the position and size of the slates. We are happy and confident in using CUPACLAD® and feel it has a good place in the market for its natural finish and ease of installation.”

Architect and property owner Jon concluded: “I would definitely recommend CUPACLAD® – partly because of the support we received from the CUPA PIZARRAS team who were in constant communication with us, providing samples and visiting the site – but also because of the system itself. We found it to be versatile and the installation was very quick – providing us with a beautiful and natural aesthetic as well as good eco credentials.” www.cupapizarras.com/uk

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PROJECT INSIGHT

Schöck Thermal Breaks And New Dowels For Major Swansea Office Development

A major new high-tech office development in Swansea city centre is fast taking shape. The five-storey building, known as 71/72 Kingsway, is a carbon-zero development with two underground levels. It is part of a major transformation of the area and will provide 114,000 square feet of flexible coworking and networking office opportunities for 600 jobs in the innovative tech, digital and creative sector businesses.

The offices will feature state-of-the-art digital connectivity and integration with smart city technology, conference and meeting facilities.

Balconies, a green rooftop terrace and atriums are also incorporated. The building detail required thermal insulation of the highest standard, along with high-performance expansion joints. With its comprehensive range of structural thermal breaks and the new Stacon dowel product, Schöck was ideally placed to meet the necessary requirements.

There were technical challenges though - The main issue was the retaining wall in the basement and ground floor area, which put axial pressure onto the structural Isokorb thermal break elements. As a result, it was necessary to calculate both the compression from this force and the moment resistance based on the residual capacity of the in-situ thermal breaks.

At the second and third floors, the placement of the column grid was unconventional and converse to the usual externalto-internal arrangement.

So the elements were in effect installed in the opposite direction to what would normally be anticipated.

To combat any effects of thermal bridging throughout the RC construction, namely heat loss, damp and mould formation, a variety of Isokorb thermal break types were incorporated.

Those most extensively used though are the T type K and the XT type K. Both are load-bearing thermal break elements for concrete cantilevered balcony construction, transferring moments and shear forces. They have 80mm and 120mm insulation thickness respectively.

New Stacon dowels used for the first time - There were a number of large beam forces to transfer on the upper levels and the newly launched Schöck Stacon dowels were used for the first time in the UK.

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PROJECT INSIGHT

This new dowel, the type SLD, is really compact and as the anchoring bodies have been reduced in size, it has the advantage of enabling higher loads to be installed in thinner slabs and walls, optimising on-site reinforcement.

Stacon has been awarded UK Technical Assessment (UKTA) along with fire protection classification R 120. It is fully supported with Scalix design software too, the first webbased application for the design of shear dowels.

A dependable and fully compliant product range - The Schöck Isokorb range of structural thermal break solutions is the largest in Europe and in the UK helps projects meet full compliance with the necessary Building Regulations.

In addition to the Isokorb type used on this project, there are also solutions for concrete-to-steel; steel-tosteel, renovation projects – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets.

All products have the security of independent BBA Certification, which provides NHBC approval. Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or for full details of the Isokorb and Stacon products visit the solutions page on the website at www.schoeck.com/en/solutions

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PROJECT INSIGHT

Powering Up More Sustainable, Healthier Outdoor Public Spaces Many of the UK’s town and city centres are being redefined to ensure they fit more closely with today’s urban lifestyles and the expectations of tourists. The changing retail landscape, driven by the growth of online shopping, more people working from home and an increasing number of people choosing to live in city centres, means that previous models for the design of streetscapes, public parks, plazas and other pedestrianised spaces are needing to undergo significant change. But it is not just reaction to social change that is at the heart of redesigns – sustainability and a growing movement to capitalise on the health benefits of being outdoors, in whatever form that takes, are also part of this fresh thinking to redesign our public spaces.

There is extensive evidence to show that providing safe, secure and attractive outdoor spaces is important to help people be more active and maintain and extend social interaction to benefit their mental health. Flood prevention and ensuring that water is managed efficiently in urban areas is becoming increasingly important due to climate change.

Hence, SuDS (sustainable urban drainage systems) are being integrated and there is an increased use of planters in spaces that were previously dominated by tarmac, pavers and concrete, encouraging biodiversity in the process.

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PROJECT INSIGHT

But there is also another important consideration in making these new outdoor public spaces as popular and versatile as possible to maximise their potential – access to on-demand power sockets.

Events can play a big role in increasing the use of outdoor spaces and attracting local people as well as tourists. Food and drink fairs, children’s fun days, market stalls, music gigs and light shows – events such as these can be a major draw and help strengthen local communities and they are easier to stage (even at relatively short notice) when easy access to power sockets is provided.

This is why a power infrastructure is a must for any redevelopment scheme or new development, and Pop Up Power Supplies® can help through a range of pop-up, in-ground and bollard power units. By incorporating a power access where there is an opportunity for events at all times of the year, there is no need to hire generators, which can be expensive and may not fit with the local sustainability agenda.

The pop up (retractable) and in-ground power distribution units are permanently submerged in the ground, discreetly installed with a lid that matches surrounding surfaces so they are barely noticeable when not it use.

When a power connection is needed, such as to provide electricity to a street food kiosk, the lid can be unlocked by an authorised user to allow power leads to connected. The pop up unit is raised up using a turning handle, whereas the in-ground unit stays below the surface, accessed via a flip lid. As soon as vendors finish serving, or when events are over, the power leads can be simply disconnected and the power unit can be securely locked again to prevent unauthorised access and vandalism.

The third option from Pop Up Power Supplies® is the power bollard. This elegantly designed bollard will integrate with other street furniture as part of an attractive streetscape, whilst providing the benefit of access to electricity when required through its sockets behind a locked cover. www.popuppower.co.uk

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PROJECT INSIGHT

Bilco UK Sets The Standard For Safety At Glasgow Housing Development Glasgow’s latest redevelopment project, located on Langside Road, is built upon the former site of the city’s Victoria Infirmary and consists of a large housing development that includes 413 flats, offices and retail space.

The 3.75 hectare site, which is situated next to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, forms an important part of the Battlefield area’s character, with the buildings’ exterior reflecting and complementing the surrounding heritage by using the city's traditional blonde coloured sandstone. As part of the construction process, Bilco UK was commissioned to supply six ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, in addition to seven E-50TB Roof Access Hatches, to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency, whilst being sympathetic to the project’s overall design. Installed onto the roof areas of four blocks of flats by Scottish contractors, Procladd Small Works Ltd, Bilco UK’s ESW-50REM

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Smoke Vents were specified to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire. Featuring a linear actuator operating mechanism that opens the cover to 140 degrees within 60 seconds, the smoke vents ensure compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B, BS9999 and EN12101-2.

The built-in wind deflector also provides protection against smoke being blown back into the vent in the event of a fire., whilst the newly-designed closedcell EPDM sponge gasket helps meet Building Regulation air leakage targets by providing a better seal of the cover to the curb. With the addition of a fixed vertical ladder, the smoke vents can also be used by maintenance engineers for roof access.

PROJECT INSIGHT

Billy Baillie, Managing Director at Procladd Small Works Ltd, said: “We have a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Bilco UK, and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, due to their impressive product quality and outstanding service. Bilco UK’s Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents were incredibly easy to install, and knowing they’re engineered to meet the highest industry standards, it provided both ourselves and the client with the confidence that the installation would set the standard for performance and longevity.”

Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, Bilco UK’s E-50TB Roof Access Hatches were also installed to provide engineers with safe, regular and convenient access to the roof to conduct essential maintenance. Engineered with compression spring operators to provide easy one-hand operation, the roof access hatch meets the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, whilst the automatic hold-open arm locks the cover in the open position to ensure safe egress.

The overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover also ensure weathertightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of resilience.

Mark Baird, Sales Operations Manager at Bilco UK, said: “Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Procladd Small Works Ltd, it was fantastic to work together on this project, which has been designed to positively impact the city’s culture. The products installed were manufactured with fire safety and efficiency in mind, delivering assurance of the durability and suitability of the installation for years to come.” www.bilcouk.co.uk

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Warning Labels Warning notices to reduce the risk of future pipe damage if the floor finish is replaced.

New Chipboard Covering Layer Covering chipboard layer is pre-cut with the pipe channel pattern, allowing the layer to slot precisely over the warm water pipes once installed in the chipboard layer.

Ultra Fast Warm Up Times The pipe sits proud in the chipboard floor layer, ensuring the pipe is in as close contact with the floor finish as possible when the finishing chipboard layer is slotted in place over the pipe.

Even Easier Installation Unique pre-printed chipboard layer shows where the pipe channels are, eliminating the risk of floor covering fixings damaging the pipe. Locator guides show where screws should be placed.

TorFloor 2 Twice as easy ®

TorFloor 2® reduces installation risk and delivers the best possible heating performance.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING & COOLING. HEAT PUMPS. COMPLETE SYSTEM DESIGN. TRIED. TESTED. TRUSTED.

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©OMNIE Ltd. 2022. All information correct at time of publication. Product information and performance characteristics are subject to change without notice. Visit omnie.co.uk for the latest information. OMNIE Ltd., Melrose House, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 5AZ TorFLoor 2 ® and the OMNIE logo are registered trademarks.